In the semi-final of the ODI Women`s World Cup 2025 match against Australia, Team India secured a victory by five wickets at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.
The “Women in Blue” successfully chased the target by scoring 341 runs for the loss of five wickets in 48.3 overs.
Having needed to chase a target of 339 runs against Australia, Team India`s opening batswoman, Shafali Verma, departed early on 10 runs in five balls. She also smashed two boundaries. Fellow opener, Smriti Mandhana, scored 24 runs in 24 balls, with the help of two boundaries and a maximum.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur delivered a captain`s knock. Facing 88 balls, she scored 89 runs, including 10 boundaries and two maximums. Deepti Sharma accumulated 24 runs off 17 balls, with the help of three boundaries.
Star batswoman Jemimah Rodrigues played an unbeaten knock of 127 runs off 134 deliveries. Her knock was laced with 14 boundaries. Along with her, Amanjot Kaur stayed unbeaten on 15 runs in eight balls. Her knock included two boundaries.
Australia`s Kim Garth claimed two wickets after conceding 46 runs in her spell of seven overs. Annabel Sutherland also picked up two wickets and leaked 69 runs in 10 overs.
Earlier, Australia`s Phoebe Litchfield played a glorious knock of 119 runs off just 93 deliveries. Her knock was laced with 17 boundaries and three maximums.
With this, she became the youngest player to hit a century in a Women`s World Cup knockout match and the second-youngest centurion for Australia in the tournament`s history.
She has joined the company of skipper Healy (170 against England in the 2022 WC final and 129 against WI in the 2022 semifinal) and Karen Rolton (unbeaten 107 against India in the 2005 edition final) as the third Aussie to score a century in a 50-over World Cup knockout match.
At the age of 22 years and 195 days, she is the second-youngest Aussie to have a century in women`s WC.
Along with her, Ellyse Perry showcased her skills with the willow. Facing 88 balls, she garnered 77 runs, including six boundaries and two maximums. On the other hand, Ashleigh Gardner smashed 63 runs after facing 45 balls. During her knock, she smashed four boundaries and the same number of maximums. With this, the Aussies were bowled out for 338 runs in 49.5 overs.
Nallapureddy Charani was the most successful bowler for the hosts. Completing her quota of 10 overs, she bagged two wickets by conceding 49 runs. Along with her, Deepti Sharma claimed two wickets and was smashed for 73 runs in 9.5 overs.