India beat Australia, reach their third WODI World Cup final
What's the story
India have beaten seven-time champions Australia in Navi Mumbai to reach the 2025 ICC Women's ODI World Cup final. The Women in Blue chased down 339, now the highest successful run-chase in WODI World Cup history. Centurion Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur starred in India's record-breaking win. Earlier, Australia compiled 338 (49.5 overs) with contributions from Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, and Ashleigh Gardner.
Australia
Aussie trio shine in Navi Mumbai
Australia, who elected to bat first, were largely powered by Litchfield's incredible ton. She added a 155-run stand with Perry after Alyssa Healy departed early. While Litchfield hammered a 93-ball 119 (17 fours and 3 sixes), Perry was dismissed for 77 off 88 balls (6 fours and 2 sixes). Gardner added the finishing touch with a 45-ball 63 (4 fours and 4 sixes).
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How Indian bowlers fared
Shree Charani was the pick of India's bowlers, having taken two wickets for 49 runs in 10 overs. Although Deepti Sharma also scalped two wickets, she conceded 73 runs in 9.5 overs. Kranti Gaud, Amanjot Kaur, and Radha Yadav took a wicket each.
Maiden ton
Maiden WODI WC hundred for Litchfield
Litchfield raced to her seventh century in WODIs. This was her maiden hundred in the Women's World Cup. In 36 WODIs, the Aussie batter has raced past 1,200 runs at an average of over 42. Her tally also includes eight half-centuries. Notably, two of Litchfield's three tons have come against Australia. And both of them have come in Mumbai.
Feats
Litchfield attains these feats
According to Cricbuzz, Litchfield became the third Australian with a century in the Women's ODI World Cup knockouts. She joined Healy (2022 semi-final and final) and Karen Rolton (2005 final). At 22 years and 195 days, Litchfield is the youngest to score a century in a Women's World Cup knockout match. She also became the second-youngest to do so for Australia in the tournament.
Milestone
Perry gets past 4,500 WODI runs
Perry raced to 4,500 runs in WODI cricket, becoming the fourth Australian to do so. She is only behind Belinda Clark (4844), KL Rolton (4,814), and Meg Lanning (4,602) in terms of WODI runs for Australia. In 165 WODIs, Perry has racked up 4,504 runs at an average of 48.43. This was her 37th WODI half-century besides three tons.
Gardner
Gardner shines with another half-century
According to ESPNcricinfo, Gardner raced to her eighth half-century in WODI cricket. She also has three tons. The Aussie batter has racked up 1,654 runs from 87 WODIs at an average of 33.08. She has a remarkable strike rate of 111.00. According to Cricbuzz, she became the first player to score 300-plus runs from No. 6 or lower in a WODI WC edition.
Records
Second-highest total in WODI WC knockouts
Australia recorded the second-highest total in Women's ODI World Cup knockouts. The Aussies top this list, having scored an incredible 356/5 against England in the 2022 final in Christchurch. According to Cricbuzz, Australia also registered the highest first-innings total against India in Women's ODI World Cups. They overtook England, who scored 288/8 in Indore earlier in this tournament.
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9 sixes in Australian innings
Australia hammered a total of 9 sixes, the most ever in a Women's World Cup knockout innings. While Gardner led the charge with 4 sixes, Litchfield and Perry slammed 3 and 2 maximums, respectively.
Start
Kaur, Rodrigues rescue India after patchy start
India had a patchy start as they lost Shafali Verma early on. However, Rodrigues and Mandhana took the hosts past 55. Mandhana fell prey to an unfortunate dismissal involving DRS thereafter, and Kaur joined in at 59/2. While Kaur took time to read the pitch, Rodrigues kept the scoreboard in check. Batting together for the next 26 overs, the duo propelled India past 220.
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Kaur departs for 89
Kaur showed her blazing strokes after India crossed the 200-run mark. In an attempt to accelerate, the Indian skipper fell to Annabel Sutherland in the 36th over. Kaur slammed an 88-ball 89 (10 fours and 2 sixes).
Record
Kaur scales another record
As mentioned, Kaur slammed her third 50-plus score in the WODI World Cup knockouts, the joint third-most with Australia's Rachael Haynes and England's Nat Sciver-Brunt. The trio is only behind Australia's Belinda Clark, who owns four scores in this regard. Notably, Kaur hammered a record-breaking 171* against Australia in the 2017 WC semi-final and 51 against England in the final.
Victory
Rodrigues powers India to an incredible win
A jaded Rodrigues found support from Deepti Sharma following Kaur's dismissal. The duo propelled India past 260. Rodrigues, who held her end, saw Deepti (24) and Richa Ghosh (26) depart after their solid cameos. She eventually took India to an incredible victory alongside Amanjot Kaur in the 49th over. Rodrigues returned unbeaten on 127 off 134 balls (14 fours).
Rodrigues
Rodrigues joins Kaur with record ton
According to ESPNcricinfo, Rodrigues has become the second Indian to score a century in the Women's ODI World Cup semi-finals. She joined her skipper Kaur, who slammed a record 171* against the same opponents (Australia) in the 2017 semi-final in Derby. India won that match after scoring 281/4 in a 42-over affair. Australia were restricted to 245.
Record
Highest successful chase in WODI WC
As mentioned, India recorded the highest successful run-chase in Women's ODI World Cup history. According to Cricbuzz, this was the first instance of a team chasing a 300-plus total in an ODI World Cup knockout (men's or women's). The previous highest total in this regard came in the 2015 Men's World Cup semi-final when New Zealand chased down 298 against South Africa in Auckland.
WODIs
Other notable feats for India
India also registered the highest-ever successful run-chase in WODI history. Earlier in the ongoing tournament, Australia chased down 331 against India, beating Sri Lanka's previous record (302 vs SA in 2024). Notably, India's previous highest run-chase in WODIs was 265 against South Africa in 2021. India also recorded the second-highest score in a Women's ODI run-chase, bettering their own 369 against Australia last month.
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India reach their third final
As mentioned, India reached their second WODI World Cup final, having finished as the runners-up in 2017 and 2005. India will now face South Africa, who earlier beat England, in the summit clash.