Table of Contents
- India Storms Into World Cup Final
- Record Chase Against Australia
- Jemimah Rodrigues Delivers Under Pressure
- Harmanpreet’s Laser Focus on the Final
- How Close Calls Forged This Team
- Sources
India Storms Into World Cup Final
In a watershed moment for Indian women’s cricket, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side has stormed into the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 final after a stunning five-wicket victory over defending champions Australia. The win—etched in history not just for its significance but for the sheer audacity of the chase—has ignited celebrations across the nation.
But as fans erupt in joy, captain Harmanpreet remains grounded. “One more game to go,” she reminded everyone in the post-match press conference, her eyes already fixed on the ultimate prize.
Record Chase Against Australia
Facing a daunting target of 339 at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, India pulled off the highest successful run chase in Women’s World Cup knockout history. The previous record? A 285-run chase by Australia in 2013.
What made this feat even more remarkable was the opponent: Australia, a team that had dominated world cricket for over two decades and hadn’t lost a World Cup semifinal since 2005.
The chase was a masterclass in composure, timing, and partnership-building—qualities that had eluded India in earlier tight contests this tournament.
Key Stats from the Semifinal
| Player | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jemimah Rodrigues | 127 | 132 | 96.21 |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | 89 | 97 | 91.75 |
| Richa Ghosh | 34* | 28 | 121.42 |
Jemimah Rodrigues Delivers Under Pressure
While Harmanpreet’s leadership anchored the innings, it was 22-year-old Jemimah Rodrigues who stole the show with a flawless 127—the highest individual score by an Indian woman in a World Cup knockout match.
“Her calmness was unbelievable,” Harmanpreet said, visibly proud. “At no point did she look rushed or anxious. That’s the kind of maturity we’ve been waiting for.”
Jemimah, often criticized in the past for slow starts, batted with rare authority, mixing elegant cover drives with calculated aggression against Australia’s world-class attack, including Megan Schutt and Darcie Brown.
Harmanpreet’s Laser Focus on the Final
Despite the magnitude of the win, Harmanpreet refused to dwell on the semifinal glory. “We’ve worked too hard to get distracted now,” she said. “This team knows what’s at stake. One more game—and we want to finish it the right way.”
Her message was clear: celebration can wait. The World Cup trophy remains the only acceptable outcome.
This mindset reflects a cultural shift within the squad. Gone are the days of being “happy to reach the final.” This Indian team believes it belongs at the top—and is ready to prove it.
How Close Calls Forged This Team
Earlier in the tournament, India narrowly lost to South Africa by just 8 runs and scraped past New Zealand in a rain-affected thriller. Those matches, Harmanpreet admitted, were critical learning moments.
“We learned how to handle pressure in the last five overs,” she explained. “We learned to trust each other’s roles. Today, that trust paid off.”
Coach Amol Muzumdar has also instilled a data-driven approach, with tailored game plans for each batter and bowler—especially against top-tier opponents like Australia.
Now, whether they face England or South Africa in the final, India enters as genuine contenders—not just participants.
Sources
Times of India: “’One more game to go’: Harmanpreet Kaur keeps focus on World Cup final”