During the second semi-final match at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, India came out victorious by 5 wickets with nine balls to spare after successfully chasing a huge target of 339 runs. Initially, Australia, the batting team, set the score at 338 and eventually, India reached 341/5.
The innings of the Australian team was largely due to the exceptional performance of Phoebe Litchfield who scored 119, and the excellent play of Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner. The run hunt of India was led by a spectacular knock of 127 from the player Jemimah Rodrigues, who was not out at the end, and she was supported by her captain Harmanpreet Kaur with 89.
As a result of this match, India moves up to the final round, and there will be a new world champion this time.
Ind vs Aus Semi Final Scorecard
The crucial partnership: Rodrigues & Kaur
Despite a mini crisis at the start of the chase, India was able to straightened their way through this communication: Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues partnership was the match-winning partnership of 167 runs that turned the match around. The historic chase was built on the foundations of Jemi’s not out 127 and Kaur’s quick 89 runs.
Their tactics were quite simple: to build up their score slow but steady, take the pressure off and then go for the big shots when time was right. Surely, Australian bowlers were the ones who had the upper hand with their huge target but Indian batswomen exhibited toughness, patience and good timing control.
This partnership did not only lead to victory in one game but rather reshaped the whole tournament story for India.
Final showdown: India vs South Africa
India will meet the South Africa women’s cricket team in the finals on November 2(Sunday) coming off Australia’s early exit. The two contenders have never won the Women’s ODI World Cup and are facing a golden opportunity to claim their first crown. They have been in the ring before, having been to previous finals or close, but now they have it in their destiny to get there finally.
The importance is even greater: the men’s teams of these countries (India and South Africa) met in the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup (men) where India triumphed, now in the women’s ODI final, we will see these two nations (India and South Africa) again fighting for glory, but this time one will win.
It signifies that new history is forthcoming, new winners will be crowned, and for supporters, it is a moment of expectation, feeling, and very high tension.
Why this match stands out
- The target of 339 and the successful chase mark the event with highest successful chase in women’s ODI history.
- To India, the defeat of Australia – a seven-time champion – is a major psychological advantage coming into the final.
- The Kaur-Rodrigues partnership will be remembered as a legendary one in the domestic cricket history, especially in the women’s cricket of India.
- For the overall game, the fact that in this edition we will have a new champion (since Australia has been eliminated) gives the tournament a fresh momentum.
What to watch in the final
- Will India be able to transfer the momentum and confidence gained from this major victory, or will South Africa perform better and surprise the home team?
- The depth of India’s batting and the fitness of Kaur and Rodrigues will be under the examination of the final pressure.
- Is there any chance that South Africa could take advantage of the places where India’s bowling and fielding were not at their best in the semi-final due to pressure?
- The venue, the conditions, the crowd support, etc., will all be factors. India’s home advantage could be a double-edged sword, as the pressure of expectations would also be high.
- Mental toughness, winning crucial overs through right decisions and basics (fielding, partnerships) will be the key factors in the case of both sides, as the trophy is up for grabs.
Final thought
The semi-final gave us a lot to see – India beating Australia with the highest-ever chase, Kaur & Rodrigues duo, and the ousting of one of women’s cricket’s great dynasties, these events made a final that seems to be more than just a match. It is about atonement, coming-of-age and heritage.
Two countries, each wanting their first title of this kind, each equipped, each under stress, the final of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup is going to be an impressive conclusion.
Written By:- Manjunath S