Jemimah Rodrigues’s career-defining century and Harmanpreet Kaur’s resolute 89 powered India to an astonishing semi-final victory over Australia in the Cricket World Cup. The emotional triumph saw the Indian players overcome with joy and relief after achieving a record-breaking run-chase to reach the final.
Against a formidable Australian team and a target exceeding 330 runs, India produced a performance for the ages. This win, emerging from a league stage with just three victories and a history of second-innings stumbles, signifies a dramatic turnaround and a historic moment for Indian cricket.
Rodrigues’s century was a landmark achievement, the first by any woman in a World Cup knockout match, and her innings was crucial in chasing down the massive total. Captain Kaur’s steady hand provided vital support, ensuring India crossed the finish line. Post-match, an emotional Rodrigues spoke of the victory’s significance: “Today was not about my fifty or my hundred, about making India win. Everything that happened so far, was a setup for this.”
The culmination of hard work and dedication was palpable as teammates surrounded a tearful Rodrigues. Harmanpreet Kaur, too, was visibly moved, sharing embraces with coaching staff and players, celebrating the end of a chase jinx, a triumph over Australia in a high-stakes game, and the dream of lifting the World Cup now within reach.
Despite lapses in fielding and bowling that allowed Australia to score 338, India’s batting heroics, particularly from Rodrigues, overcame the deficit. The team navigated challenges, including the absence of key players, with remarkable resilience.
India now advances to face South Africa in the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday, November 2, aiming to be crowned champions.
