How does one describe such stuff? To begin with, commentator Ian Bishop labelled this the greatest run chase in Women’s ODI cricket.
The context to that was not only that India recorded the highest successful run chase in WODI, gunning down the target of 339; it was more about beating the indomitable, defending champions Australia, who were on a 15-match winning streak in the ICC Womens World Cup and had blown away every opposition in the league stage, in a semi-final at home.
Not to forget that Australia had themselves set up this record earlier this month when they chased 331 against India in Vizag.
India were far from their best in the league stage, winning three and losing three matches. And they were sloppy in the field and inconsistent with the ball today in the semi-final at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
But, like Harmanpreet Kaur did eight years ago in the 2017 Women’s World Cup semi-final against the same opposition, Jemimah Rodrigues played an innings of a lifetime. If Kaur’s innings turned a page in Indian women’s cricket history, Rodrigues’ innings may be the start of a new book as India face South Africa on Sunday, with the Protea women set to play their maiden Women’s World Cup final.
On Sunday, in the India vs South Africa final in Navi Mumbai, we are sure to get a new Women’s World Cup winner.
ICC Womens World Cup India vs Australia Semi-Final Report
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first. And though the skipper Alyssa Healy was dismissed for a single digit, her opening partner Phoebe Litchfield and No. 3 Ellyse Perry not only steadied the ship, but they also brisked along in their stand of 155 (133).
The left-hander raised a terrific century, finishing with 119 off 93 balls, and the veteran Perry scored 77 off 88. As India chipped in with regular wickets, Ashleigh Gardner provided Australia a late-order impetus, smoking 63 runs off 45 balls as the defending champions ended with 338.
In the tall run chase, India were pegged back early as openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana were back in the hut inside 10 overs. But then came a partnership for the ages between Rodrigues and Harmanpreet.
The duo played classy and largely risk-averse shots, and at the same time, didn’t let the required run rate go much beyond seven runs per over in their partnership of 167 (156).
Kaur threatened an encore of 2017 but was outdone by Sutherland for 89 off 88. As Rodrigues held her end, bringing up her century and keeping India alive, Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh played sparkling cameos of 24 (17) and 26 (16) to bring India near the finishing line.
As India had done many times previously, this time they didn’t panic: Rodrigues and Amanjot Kaur (15* off 8) crossed the finishing line and propelled India into the final. An emotional Jemimah Rodrigues was in tears while receiving her Player of the Match award for her outstanding knock of 127* off 134 balls.
Fans on Twitter erupted in joy and celebrated India’s victory over Australia in the ICC Women’s World Cup semi-final.
Twitter Reactions As Jemimah Rodrigues Helps India Knock Out Australia And Enter The Final
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