History wasn’t just made—it was shattered! In one of the greatest comebacks in India women’s cricket history, India pulled off a stunning five-wicket victory over defending champions Australia on October 30, 2025, at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Chasing a mammoth 339 runs, India completed the highest successful chase in women’s ODI history with nine balls to spare, booking their spot in Sunday’s World Cup final against South Africa.
Table of Contents
India vs Australia: Match Summary: Record-Breaking Performance
| Team | Score | Result | Key Players |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 338 all out (49.5 overs) | Lost by 5 wickets | Phoebe Litchfield 119, Ellyse Perry 77, Ashleigh Gardner 63 |
| India | 341/5 (48.3 overs) | Won | Jemimah Rodrigues 127*, Harmanpreet Kaur 89, Richa Ghosh 42* |
| Venue | DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai | Previous Record | 330 by Australia (2 weeks ago) |
Jemimah Rodrigues: From Heartbreak to Heroics
Jemimah Rodrigues compiled a stunning unbeaten 127 off 134 deliveries, scoring her first Cricket World Cup century in a famous chase. But her journey to this moment was anything but smooth. Dropped from the squad after scoring just one run in the opening match against Sri Lanka, Rodrigues battled anxiety and mental struggles throughout the tournament.
In an emotional post-match interview, she revealed she had “almost cried every day through this tour” while dealing with anxiety. Just five minutes before walking in to bat at number three, she was informed of her promotion in the batting order. Her composed innings under immense pressure transformed what seemed like an impossible chase into India’s greatest ODI victory.
The Knockout Blow: Ending Australia’s Dominance
This marked India’s first victory against Australia in 16 ODI World Cup matches, ending the defending champions’ remarkable winning streak. Australia had appeared invincible after Phoebe Litchfield’s maiden World Cup century of 119 runs, supported by half-centuries from Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner, helped them reach 338.
The turning point came when Jemimah Rodrigues and captain Harmanpreet Kaur forged a crucial 167-run partnership off just 156 balls. Australia’s fielding lapses proved costly—they dropped Rodrigues twice, on 82 and 106. Those missed opportunities ultimately cost them the match and their World Cup defense.
Captain’s Composure Under Pressure
Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership was instrumental in the chase. She scored 89 runs and combined with Jemimah to add 167 runs for the third wicket, helping India recover from losing both openers within the powerplay. Her calm presence at the crease allowed Rodrigues to play her natural game without feeling the burden of the chase.
When Harmanpreet departed with India still needing runs, Richa Ghosh stepped up brilliantly, hitting two fours and two sixes to reduce the margin before eventually falling. The platform set by the middle order ensured India wouldn’t waste their hard-earned position.
India’s Path to Glory
This victory represents India’s third World Cup final appearance after 2005 and 2017. For cricket fans tracking India’s incredible journey, our comprehensive Women’s Premier League coverage highlights the growth of women’s cricket in India. The WPL has proven instrumental in developing match-winners like Rodrigues and Ghosh.
This will be the first ODI World Cup final to not feature either Australia or England, as India will face South Africa on Sunday. The entire nation now stands behind the Women in Blue as they aim to capture their first-ever World Cup title on home soil.
For official match highlights and statistics, visit ICC’s Women’s Cricket World Cup page. Our Asia Cup records guide showcases more historic Indian cricket achievements.
What This Win Means
Australia captain Alyssa Healy acknowledged they “did that to ourselves a little bit” with dropped catches and poor execution. India pulled back by taking eight wickets for 118 runs toward the end of Australia’s innings, which proved vital in keeping the chase manageable. Sree Charani was pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/49.
The packed DY Patil Stadium witnessed something special—a team refusing to surrender, a batter conquering personal demons, and a nation’s World Cup dreams staying alive. One more victory stands between India and immortality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What made India’s chase of 339 against Australia so historic?
India’s successful chase of 339 became the highest run-chase in women’s ODI history, surpassing the previous record of 330 that Australia had set just two weeks earlier. The magnitude increases considering it came against the defending champions who hadn’t lost an ODI World Cup match in their previous 16 encounters. Jemimah Rodrigues’ unbeaten 127 anchored the chase brilliantly, demonstrating exceptional mental fortitude after being dropped earlier in the tournament. The victory also marked the first World Cup semifinal win for India over Australia, making it a watershed moment in Indian women’s cricket.
Q: When and where will the Women’s World Cup 2025 final be played?
The Women’s World Cup 2025 final between India and South Africa will be played on Sunday, November 3, 2025, at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. This marks a historic final as it will be the first ODI World Cup final that doesn’t feature either Australia or England—the two most dominant teams in women’s cricket history. India will have the advantage of playing at home with massive crowd support, having already demonstrated their ability to handle pressure in the semifinal. The winner will lift the coveted trophy and create history in their respective cricketing nations.
