IND W VS AUS W 2ND SEMI FINAL

A contest that truly lived up to its billing, with a packed house in Navi Mumbai witnessing a spectacle for the ages. The defending champions have been knocked out, and it took something extraordinary to bring their dominant run to an end. As Healy admitted, fielding is something Australia pride themselves on, and while their ground fielding was up to standard, they let slip a couple of crucial chances that proved costly. India scripted history with the highest successful run chase in Women’s ODI history to reach their third ODI World Cup final. They now face South Africa in the summit clash, with the Proteas playing in their first-ever ODI World Cup final. Both teams will be eyeing their maiden World Cup crown. The grand finale will take place on Sunday, 2nd November, at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. The action will begin at 3 pm IST (9.30 am GMT), but join us for the build-up well before the first ball. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Harmanpreet Kaur, the skipper of India, says that she is very proud of the team and she has no words to express now. She adds that she has that trust in the team and says that every player can be a match-winner. Shares that they made made some mistakes earlier and failed to capitalise in the last five overs in previous games, and they learned from their mistakes and rectified them this time. Adds that Jemimah Rodrigues has been a reliable player, and it is fun to bat with her as she does all the calculations and hard work. Mentions that she held her nerves and kept batting till the end, so all credit goes to her for this win. She adds that the talk in the dressing room is about one more game to go, and it shows how keen they are to win the World Cup. Ends by saying that they always have the support of the entire country, and they will give their best.

Australia's captain, Alyssa Healy says that it was a good contest in the end, but she feels they outdid themselves. Believes that they didn’t quite finish things off with the bat, even though they were in a good position. Adds that she is proud that they hung in there and fought hard. Reckons that had they bowled a bit better and held onto their catches, it could have been a different story. States that India played really well and held their nerves to get over the line. Says that Phoebe Litchfield was sensational. Further says that they have played some unbelievable cricket throughout this tournament, and she is really proud of the group. Adds that someone always stepped up in every game and got the job done, which is why this defeat stings. She believes the next four-year cycle leading up to the next World Cup will be really exciting, but reveals that she won’t be part of it, confirming that this was her last ODI World Cup.

Jemimah Rodrigues is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for her match-winning century. She is in tears as she talks to Raunak Kapoor. She thanks Jesus and her Mom and Dad, who believed in her. She says that the last few months were tough. She adds that she thought she was batting at number 5, but just before the game, she was told to bat at number 3. She mentions that today was not about her hundred, but it is about the win. She says that she had some amazing people who carried her. She says that she was reading the bible and she had read one scripture which said that 'just stand still and god will fight for you'. She further says that Deepti and Richa kept her lifting and ends by saying that Navi Mumbai has always been special for her and she thanks everyone for cheering for her.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Earlier, the toss went Australia’s way, but they suffered an early blow with the dismissal of Alyssa Healy. Phoebe Litchfield, however, remained unflustered by the setback and took charge alongside Ellyse Perry, who began cautiously before finding her rhythm as the innings progressed. Litchfield was the driving force in their 155-run stand, crafting a fluent century that left India searching for answers. Her dismissal, though, allowed the hosts to rein in Australia’s charge, which had been racing along smoothly until then. Perry and Ashleigh Gardner chipped in with valuable contributions to keep the innings steady, but Australia left a few runs out there. When Litchfield was motoring along, they looked on course to push well beyond 350. Sree Charani played a key role in pulling things back for India, finishing with figures of 2 for 49 from her 10 overs.

Australia found a glimmer of hope with the dismissal of Harmanpreet Kaur, but crucial cameos from Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma kept the chase firmly on track. Things could have unfolded very differently had it not been for two reprieves offered to Jemimah Rodrigues, first on 82 by Alyssa Healy and then on 106 by Tahlia McGrath. Both were straightforward chances that you’d back them to take nine times out of ten. India have been guilty of crumbling under pressure in several knockout games, especially against Australia, and even earlier in this tournament against England in Indore. But this time, Rodrigues took it upon herself to ensure the game didn’t go deep and guided India home with composure and authority.

In pursuit, Shafali Verma fell early without making much of an impact, and the in-form Smriti Mandhana couldn’t contribute significantly either. That left a lot resting on the shoulders of Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur and the duo delivered through a 167-run stand. Rodrigues looked busy right from the outset, while Kaur struggled to keep the scoreboard moving early on but made up for it as the innings progressed. Together, they ensured the required run rate never spiralled out of control and kept India in the hunt throughout.

India defy the odds to pull off a historic chase! The Navi Mumbai crowd has witnessed a run chase for the ages, the highest successful chase ever in a World Cup knockout game across both men’s and women’s cricket. Tears in the eyes of Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues, and hugs all around in the Indian camp. Australia’s juggernaut has finally been halted. Their last defeat in an ODI World Cup came in 2017 against India, and it is India once again who bring their streak to an end. With this result, a new champion will be crowned on Sunday, 2nd November, whether it be India or South Africa.

FOUR! A record chase from India Women! Short and wide, Amanjot Kaur makes room and slaps it in the gap through point for a boundary. Emotional scenes here in Navi Mumbai. Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur are in tears. India Women have scripted the highest successful run-chase in WODI history. Take a bow. They will face South Africa Women in the finals of the ICC Women's World Cup, 2025!

Much fuller, on off, Amanjot Kaur chips it over mid off. The fielder chases it and just flicks the ball in before the fence. The batters collect two runs. 2 needed for India.

FOUR! Amanjot Kaur joins the party! A full toss, on off, Amanjot Kaur makes room and punches it through covers for a boundary. They are just one hit away now!

India need 8 runs from 12 balls. Alyssa Healy is in a discussion with Sophie Molineux regarding the field setting.

Short, outside off, Amanjot Kaur slaps it to point for a single. 8 needed from 12 now. India Women can sense the victory now!

Hard length, on off, Jemimah Rodrigues tucks it to mid on for a single. 9 needed from 13 for India.

FOUR! Gets it through! On a length, outside off, Jemimah Rodrigues makes room and slaps it hard in the gap through point for a boundary.

Wide! Sways it down leg, Jemimah Rodrigues looks to flick it but misses.