Jemimah Rodrigues powers India past Australia into Women’s Cricket World Cup final

By Canadian Press on October 30, 2025.

NAVI MUMBAI, India (AP) — Jemimah Rodrigues scored a scintillating century on home soil as India beat defending champion Australia by five wickets to reach the final of the Women’s Cricket World Cup on Thursday.

Rodrigues scored 127 not out off 134 balls, hitting 14 fours, to rally the chase home. Co-hosts India thus set up a title clash with first-time finalist South Africa at the same venue Sunday.

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur scored 89 off 88 balls as the third-time finalists scored 341-5 in 48.3 overs — a record chase in Cricket World Cup knockouts, men’s or women’s.

This was after Australia won the toss and opted to bat, putting up a tall score on the board — 338 runs in 49.5 overs.

Phoebe Litchfield scored 119 off 93 balls, but her century went in vain as the seven-time champions were stopped just short of the final.

Rodrigues was named player of the match.

“It was really hard these last four months, not being part of the team setup,” said Rodrigues, who was named player of the match.

“I didn’t know I was batting at three today, but I was happy to do the job for my team. Today was not about my century, it was all about getting India into the final. It feels like a dream and hasn’t sunk in yet.”

The defeat ended Australia’s 16-match unbeaten run in the tournament stretching back to 2022.

A new Women’s World Cup champion will be crowned — both India and South Africa are yet to lift the trophy.

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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

The Associated Press