Cricket: History makers! India stun Australia with record-breaking chase to reach Women’s World Cup final
Rodrigues and Kaur lead India to World Cup final
Two teams, one match! Regardless of what happens on Sunday, one thing is guaranteed: A first-time world champion will be crowned this weekend after India booked their place in the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup final against South Africa.
After losing the toss and being asked to bowl by Alyssa Healy, things began to pan out as expected, according to the best online betting sites, with Australia dominating proceedings with the bat in the first innings.
Phoebe Litchfield and Ellyse Perry produced a stunning second-wicket stand of 155 runs to get their side to 180/1 by the 28th over before Ashleigh Gardner smashed a quick-fire 63 off 45 balls in the middle order to take the Aussies to a total of 338.
What that meant for India was that winning the match would require them to produce the highest successful run chase in women’s one-day international history!
The Women in Blue got off to a shaky start, with Shafali Verma being dismissed in the second over, while Smriti Mandhana fell for just 24 runs in the 10th over. However, that was when the match changed with Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur at the fore.
The Indian batting pair put together a partnership of 167 before India’s captain was dismissed for 89 (88) in the 36th over, but Rodrigues went on to deliver a knock for the ages, scoring 127* runs in 134 deliveries at a strike rate of 94.78.
Deepti Sharma (24 off 17), Richa Ghosh (26 off 16) and Amanjot Kaur (15* off 8) also played key roles late in the day, as India chased down the mammoth target with nine balls to spare, breaking the Southern Stars' 16-match unbeaten streak in World Cups.
India set sights on surging South Africa in blockbuster final
While India will undoubtedly take some time to enjoy their incredible victory over Australia, the job is not done yet, as they still have to overcome South Africa in the final, which will be played in Navi Mumbai on Sunday, November 2.
The Proteas pulled off an incredible victory themselves, trouncing former champions England by 125 runs at the Barsapara Stadium in the first semi-final, a result that gave the South Africans the revenge they longed for against an opponent that beat them in the last two World Cup semi-finals.
Given home advantage and the manner in which they beat the Aussies, India are considered favourites for the final, but it is worth noting that South Africa beat them fairly convincingly during the group stage of the competition.
