In a historic night at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, India Women scripted one of the greatest victories in cricket history, defeating defending champions Australia by five wickets to enter the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 final. The win, powered by Jemimah Rodrigues’ unbeaten 127 and captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s 89, marked the highest successful chase in Women’s World Cup history, as India chased down 339 runs with nine balls to spare.

The packed Navi Mumbai crowd witnessed something special — a display of composure, power, and belief that defined the spirit of the Women in Blue. Australia, who posted 338 after Phoebe Litchfield’s sparkling 119 and Ellyse Perry’s 77, looked set for another final appearance. But Rodrigues and Harmanpreet had other plans.

According to CricketMan2, Jemimah Rodrigues was the standout performer of the evening, “scoring a magnificent unbeaten 127 off 134 balls, decorated with 14 boundaries.” The site described her as the calm architect of India’s chase, one who “played with maturity beyond her years.” Harmanpreet’s contribution was equally impactful — her 167-run partnership with Rodrigues turned the game in India’s favor and became India’s highest-ever stand in Women’s World Cup knockout matches.

BBC Sport called it an instant classic, reporting that Rodrigues was in tears as the team rushed onto the field after Amanjot Kaur struck the winning runs to seal the record chase. The British outlet noted that India’s innings wasn’t flawless — both Rodrigues and Harmanpreet benefited from dropped catches — but their resilience and shot selection under pressure made all the difference. Australia captain Alyssa Healy’s missed stumping and a dropped catch proved costly as India timed their chase perfectly.

“It could all have been so different had Australia taken their chances,” wrote BBC journalist Sam Drury. “But for all that, it is the brilliance of Rodrigues and her all-time World Cup innings that will live long in the memory.”
(Reference: BBC Sport)

As the world reacted to India’s heroics, social media erupted with praise. Former players, journalists, and fans celebrated what ESPNcricinfo described as “the belief, the fight, and the hunger to win.” The platform highlighted how the victory wasn’t just about numbers but about a shift in global perception — India’s women had become a force to fear on the biggest stage.
(Reference: ESPNcricinfo)

The emotions spilled beyond the boundary ropes. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla called the team’s performance “brilliant” and predicted a bright future for women’s cricket in India. “The manner in which they beat Australia and chased such a big target — they performed fantastic,” he told ANI. “I am very hopeful that on November 2, we will defeat South Africa and win the final. Women’s cricket will see a meteoric rise.”

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia also praised the squad, saying the players had shown a “never-say-die attitude” that truly defined empowerment in sport. Even political leaders joined in — Aaditya Thackeray lauded Rodrigues and Harmanpreet on social media for their “absolute class and determination.”
(Reference: ANI News)

Midway through the match, when India were 59/2, the chase appeared daunting. Yet, Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership steadied the ship. Her captain’s knock of 89 from 88 balls included ten fours and two sixes — a masterclass in controlled aggression. Rodrigues, at the other end, grew stronger with every over, rotating strike early before unleashing elegant boundaries in the death overs. When Harmanpreet fell, India still required 113 runs from 88 balls, but quick cameos from Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh ensured the momentum never faded.

As reported by CricketMan2.com, “From Harmanpreet’s fighting knock to Jemimah’s composed brilliance, every moment reflected the strength and belief of a team ready to conquer the world stage.”

The result means India will now face South Africa in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Final on November 2 at the same venue — a chance to lift their first ever Women’s World Cup title on home soil.

With the crowd behind them and the world watching, the Women in Blue have proven that belief, unity, and hunger can overcome any challenge. Their chase of 339 wasn’t just a sporting milestone — it was the heartbeat of a nation’s dream, beating loud in Navi Mumbai.