In a pulsating semi-final at the DY Patil Stadium, Jemimah Rodrigues scripted an unforgettable chapter in Indian cricket, smashing an unbeaten 127 to orchestrate the highest successful chase in Women’s World Cup history. India hunted down Australia’s imposing 338 all out with five wickets and nine balls to spare, reaching 341 for five in 48.3 overs. The Mumbai batter’s 134-ball masterclass—her first World Cup century—forged a match-defining 167-run stand with captain Harmanpreet Kaur (89 off 88) and propelled the hosts into Sunday’s final against South Africa. Amanjot Kaur’s boundary off the penultimate delivery triggered wild celebrations, ending Australia’s title defence and shattering multiple records, including the largest chase in women’s ODI knockouts.
Australia’s total was built on Phoebe Litchfield’s scintillating 119 off 93 balls—the fastest century by an Australian in Women’s World Cup knockouts—and fluent half-centuries from Ellyse Perry (77) and Ashleigh Gardner (63). Electing to bat, the visitors raced to 293 for four before India’s spinners triggered a collapse, claiming the last six wickets for 45 runs in 9.5 overs. Sree Charani (2-49) and Radha Yadav (2-58) led the fightback, but dropped chances—including Harmanpreet shelving Litchfield on 42—kept Australia ahead until the late slide restricted them to 338 in 49.5 overs.
Rodrigues entered at 38 for two after openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana fell cheaply, unaware until five minutes prior that she would bat at No. 3. What followed was a lesson in composure under pressure. She rotated strike meticulously, accelerated through the middle overs, and survived a dropped catch by Alyssa Healy at 82 when 131 runs were still needed. Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh provided calm counsel in the death overs as cramps threatened to derail her; Rodrigues refused to celebrate her fifty or century, reserving emotion for the winning moment when tears flowed freely beneath the floodlights.
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The victory was as much spiritual as it was tactical for the devout Christian from Mumbai. Battling anxiety and daily tears throughout the tour, Rodrigues leaned on scripture—“stand still and God will fight for you”—to silence inner turmoil. Dropped from the previous World Cup despite domestic form, she faced relentless scrutiny; this innings was her redemption. Post-match, she blew a flying kiss to her family in the VIP stands, thanking her parents, coach Ivan, and the 30,000-strong crowd whose chants carried her through fatigue. “I can’t take credit for anything,” she said, voice breaking. “God took care of everything.”
Harmanpreet Kaur, sprinting from the dugout to embrace Rodrigues, called it the culmination of six months’ labour under coach Amol Muzumdar. “We’ve crossed the line we’ve chased for years,” she declared, crediting pre-match reviews of their England defeat for instilling calculated aggression in the final overs. Praising Rodrigues’ running commentary—“five runs, two balls”—Kaur hailed her vice-captain’s nerve and team-first ethos. The skipper also thanked fans whose unwavering support, even after losses, reinforced national belief.
As India turns attention to the November 2 final, Rodrigues’ knock—only the second century in a Women’s World Cup knockout chase—stands alongside legends. It ends Australia’s four-year reign, avenges past semi-final heartbreaks, and signals a new era for the hosts playing on home soil. With faith, fire, and folded hands, the girl from Mumbai has delivered a night that will echo for generations.
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