Jemimah Rodrigues could not stop crying. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur broke down. It was an overwhelming emotional overflow as the Indian women’s cricket team pulled off the highest-ever run chase in cricket World Cup history to march into the final. The hosts dramatically knocked out the seven-time champion Australia by chasing down a mammoth 339 runs with five wickets in hand at a euphoric DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai.
A Victory Sealed With Emotion
The moment Amanjot Kaur hit the winning runs, the floodgates opened. Jemimah Rodrigues, the hero of the match, ran and pounced on her teammate. The entire Indian dugout charged onto the field in a wave of pure joy and relief. After scoring an unbeaten 127, Rodrigues, with tears streaming down her face, found the energy to acknowledge the cheering crowd. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur made futile attempts to control her tears, eventually hugging support staff and weeping. It was a raw, cathartic release after a pressure-filled, historic victory.
The Record-Breaking Chase: How Did India Do It?
With nine balls remaining, India won, setting a new record for the greatest run chase in Women’s ODI history. The hosts scored 341/5 while chasing Australia’s 338. This thrilling victory snapped Australia’s 15-match winning streak that dated back to 2017. Jemimah Rodrigues’ brilliant, career-defining knock and a key partnership turned the match in India’s favor.
Heroine of the Hour: Who is Jemimah Rodrigues?
Jemimah Rodrigues delivered the innings of her life when her team needed it the most. Her superb 127 not out was her first hundred in a World Cup and just her third in ODIs. The knock reflected her calm mindset, smart stroke play, and solid belief. Rodrigues persevered despite India’s early loss of both openers, leading the team from a difficult situation to the possibility of victory.
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The Partnership That Changed the Game
India was struggling at 59/2, and another World Cup exit looked likely. Then Rodrigues and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur took control. Their 167-run partnership revived the chase completely. Harmanpreet played a stylish 89 off 88 balls, while Rodrigues calmly held one end, kept the scoreboard ticking, and punished errors to prepare for the final push.
A Slice of Luck and Unwavering Focus
The chase was not without its nervous moments. Rodrigues was handed a critical reprieve on 82 when Australian skipper Alyssa Healy dropped a straightforward catch. She was given another life at 106. Rodrigues punished Australia for their missed chances, converting her innings into a match-winner. She remained motivated and determined, anchoring the innings till the very finish despite teammates falling at the opposite end.
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The Final Hurdle and Looking Ahead
Australia had earlier scored an impressive 338 thanks to a brilliant 119 from Phoebe Litchfield. But in the last overs, India’s bowlers, especially Shree Charani and Deepti Sharma, pulled things back to bring the score within sight. India made it to their third Women’s ODI World Cup final with this triumph. They will now face South Africa on Sunday in a title clash that promises to crown a new champion of the world.
