Jemimah Rodrigues’ Heroics Power India to Historic Win Over Australia, Seal Spot in Women’s World Cup Final

On the eve of the Women’s World Cup semi-final against Australia, few believed Harmanpreet Kaur’s India could topple the seven-time champions at the Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. But sport, as it often does, defied expectations. On a day of grit and brilliance, Jemimah Rodrigues produced one of the greatest white-ball innings in women’s cricket to script a record-breaking chase and take India into the final of the eight-team tournament.

The 25-year-old Mumbai batter played the innings of her life, smashing an unbeaten 127 off 134 balls to steer India past Australia’s 339-run target with five wickets in hand and nine balls to spare. With this, India stormed into their third Women’s World Cup final, their first since 2017.

Legends React to India’s Sensational Victory

The magnitude of the triumph over Australia reverberated across the cricketing world, with legends of the game hailing the Indian team’s performance.

Rohit Sharma, fresh off a Player of the Series award against Australia, shared India’s victory photo on Instagram with the caption, “Well done Team India.”

Sachin Tendulkar was effusive in praise for both Jemimah and Harmanpreet, lauding their composure under pressure.

“Fabulous victory! Well done @JemiRodrigues and @ImHarmanpreet for leading from the front. Shree Charani and @Deepti_Sharma06, you kept the game alive with the ball. Keep the tricolour flying high,” wrote Tendulkar on X.

Former captain Sourav Ganguly hailed the team’s remarkable growth:

“Incredible stuff from the girls… how good they have become in the last five years. One more to go! Just outstanding @BCCIWomen.”

Men’s team head coach Gautam Gambhir highlighted the team’s never-say-die spirit:

“It ain’t over till it’s over! What a performance, girls.”

Two-time World Cup winner Yuvraj Singh called the victory one that transcended numbers:

“There are wins that go beyond the scoreboard — this was one of them. Under pressure, @ImHarmanpreet played with the calm of a true leader while @JemiRodrigues produced an innings of a lifetime! This partnership came from belief — in themselves, in each other, and in what this team stands for.”

The Game-Changing Partnership

India’s chase began shakily as Shafali Verma (10) and Smriti Mandhana (24) fell inside the first ten overs. At 49/2, the hosts needed calm heads — and that’s when Harmanpreet Kaur joined Jemimah Rodrigues at the crease. The pair stitched together a 167-run stand for the third wicket, deflating Australia’s famed attack.

Harmanpreet looked set for a hundred before falling for 89 to Annabel Sutherland, but the momentum had firmly swung India’s way. Deepti Sharma (24) and Richa Ghosh (26) chipped in with quick cameos before Amanjot Kaur (15 off 8)* sealed the deal with the winning runs.

As soon as Amanjot’s shot found the gap, Jemimah and Harmanpreet broke down in tears — overwhelmed by the scale of India’s achievement.

India will now face South Africa in the final on November 2, once again at the Dr DY Patil Stadium, with a chance to end their long wait for a World Cup crown.