India Women shock Australia in a record chase to reach the 2025 World Cup Final. Full highlights, stats, and player data from both sides.
⚡ A Night India Will Never Forget
October 30 2025, Navi Mumbai — a night that rewrote cricketing history.
India Women, against all odds, pulled off a record-breaking chase to defeat the unbeaten Australia Women and march into the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Final.
It wasn’t just a win.
It was a declaration: India’s women can chase anything.
🎬 Pre-Match Vibes – Pressure, Pride & Passion
1. Australia’s Unbeaten Streak
Australia Women entered the semi-final as defending champions. They had crushed South Africa in their previous game thanks to Alana King’s 7-wicket masterclass and came armed with the best bowling attack in the tournament.
2. India’s Late Surge
India’s journey had been a roller-coaster. A slow start, then back-to-back wins over England and New Zealand to sneak into the semis. Fans believed something special was brewing.
3. The Toss & Conditions
Alyssa Healy won the toss and opted to bat first on a flat DY Patil pitch — perfect for runs, deadly for nerves. The temperature hovered around 29°C, humidity 68 %, and the crowd roared at every ball.
🇦🇺 First Innings – Australia Set a Mountain
Australia started like a champion side.
- Phoebe Litchfield was poetry in motion, smashing 119 (103) with 12 fours and 3 sixes.
- Ashleigh Gardner (63 off 58) counter-attacked brilliantly.
- Ellyse Perry chipped in with 45, while Tahlia McGrath added 34.
- In the death overs, Beth Mooney’s 28 off 16 gave the Aussies momentum.
India’s bowlers had their moments — Renuka Singh removed both openers with swing deliveries, and Deepti Sharma broke the middle order with 3/62.
📊 Australia Women – Innings Summary
| Player | Runs | Balls | SR | 4s/6s |
| P. Litchfield | 119 | 103 | 115.5 | 12/3 |
| A. Gardner | 63 | 58 | 108.6 | 6/1 |
| E. Perry | 45 | 54 | 83.3 | 4/0 |
| T. McGrath | 34 | 39 | 87.1 | 3/0 |
| B. Mooney | 28 | 16 | 175 | 4/1 |
| Extras | 49.5 overs – 338 runs (all out) |
Bowling (India):
- Renuka Singh – 2/57 (9)
- Deepti Sharma – 3/62 (10)
- Pooja Vastrakar – 2/49 (8)
- Shreyanka Patil – 1/45 (10)
When Australia finished at 338, many thought the game was sealed.
🇮🇳 Second Innings – India’s Record Chase
1. Early Nerves
India’s chase began with heartbreak.
Smriti Mandhana (14) and Shafali Verma (9) fell early. The score read 28/2.
The stadium quieted.
Australia sensed blood.
But India’s next two batters had other plans.
2. Rodrigues + Kaur: The Partnership of Dreams
Jemimah Rodrigues walked in with composure beyond her years.
Harmanpreet Kaur joined her, whispering, “We’ve done this before. Let’s do it again.”
Ball after ball, they built the innings brick by brick.
- Rodrigues attacked spin, cutting and sweeping with grace.
- Kaur absorbed the pace assault, striking cleanly down the ground.
- Their 167-run partnership silenced the Aussies and lifted a nation.
Rodrigues – *127 (not out) off 118 balls
Harmanpreet – 89 off 95 balls
Their chemistry and calmness under pressure defined the match.
3. The Final Push
After Kaur’s dismissal, Richa Ghosh (25 off 15) and Deepti Sharma (18 *) finished in style.
The winning shot — a boundary through cover — came with 9 balls to spare.
India 341/5 (48.3 overs) — highest successful chase in Women’s World Cup history.
The stadium erupted. Tears, laughter, fireworks — pure emotion.
🧮 Match Summary
| Team | Score | Overs | Top Scorer | Result |
| Australia Women | 338 all out | 49.5 ov | P. Litchfield 119 | Lost by 5 wkts |
| India Women | 341/5 | 48.3 ov | J. Rodrigues 127* | Won by 5 wkts |
Player of the Match: Jemimah Rodrigues
Record: Highest successful chase in Women’s ODI World Cup history
🌟 Top Performers – Detailed Stats
🇮🇳 India Women
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Bowling | Catches |
| Jemimah Rodrigues | 127* | 118 | 14 | 1 | – | 0 |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | 89 | 95 | 9 | 0 | – | 1 |
| Richa Ghosh | 25 | 15 | 2 | 1 | – | 0 |
| Deepti Sharma | 18* | 11 | 1 | 0 | 3/62 | 0 |
| Renuka Singh | – | – | – | – | 2/57 | 0 |
🇦🇺 Australia Women
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Bowling | Catches |
| Phoebe Litchfield | 119 | 103 | 12 | 3 | – | 0 |
| Ashleigh Gardner | 63 | 58 | 6 | 1 | 0/44 (8) | 0 |
| Ellyse Perry | 45 | 54 | 4 | 0 | 1/48 (9) | 1 |
| Alana King | 11 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 2/56 (10) | 0 |
| Tahlia McGrath | 34 | 39 | 3 | 0 | 0/33 (7) | 0 |
😮 Turning Points of the Match
- Rodrigues Dropped on 82: cost Australia at least 45 extra runs.
- Harmanpreet’s Paddle Sweep: off Alana King, signaled complete control.
- Healy’s Misjudged Catch: shifted momentum India’s way.
- Renuka’s Early Wickets: kept India alive in the first innings.
- Richa’s Cameo: turned a tense chase into a confident finish.
💬 What Players Said
“We kept believing. Every run mattered.” — Jemimah Rodrigues
“Australia pushed us, but we pushed back harder.” — Harmanpreet Kaur
“We didn’t field well enough — plain and simple.” — Alyssa Healy
🧠 Tactical Breakdown
India’s Strengths
- Smart use of right-left batting combinations.
- Targeting spin in middle overs.
- Rotating strike to keep the scoreboard moving.
Australia’s Mistakes
- Over-reliance on pace in death overs.
- Missed fielding opportunities.
- Failure to contain Rodrigues with tight off-stump lines.
🌍 Broader Impact
1. For India
This win transforms the narrative.
India Women have reached three major finals in eight years. Their fan base is booming, sponsorships rising, and digital viewership setting records.
2. For Australia
The loss stings, but it’s a reminder that even the best can falter. Expect tactical overhauls before the next cycle.
3. For Women’s Cricket
The semi-final broke streaming records across Asia. It inspired millions of girls to pick up the bat. The 2025 World Cup now ranks among the most-watched women’s sporting events ever.
🏁 Final Thoughts
India’s stunning win over Australia wasn’t luck — it was legacy in motion.
A calm Rodrigues, a fearless Kaur, a united team.
Australia’s reign met its match.
As fireworks lit up the Mumbai sky, one truth stood tall:
This is the new era of women’s cricket — bold, brilliant, and beautifully Indian.