Jemimah Rodrigues hit a remarkable unbeaten century as India completed a record chase to claim a stunning five-wicket win over Australia and reach the Women’s World Cup final.
Set 339 to win after a wonderful hundred from Australia opener Phoebe Litchfield, India held their nerve in a mammoth pursuit, with Rodrigues and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur leading the way with a 167-run stand.
Harmanpreet fell for 89 with 113 still needed but Rodrigues remained, reaching her hundred from 115 balls, and she was there at the end as the highest successful chase in women’s one-day international history was achieved with nine balls to spare.
Rodrigues was in tears as the India players streamed on to the field after Amanjot Kaur hit the winning runs in front of a delirious home crowd to set up a final against South Africa on Sunday.
This game in Navi Mumbai will go down as an instant classic and with the defending champions dumped out, there will be a new name on the trophy this weekend.
It could all have been so different had Australia taken their chances but a missed stumping gave Harmanpreet a life on 10, while the simplest of catches was put down to reprieve Rodrigues on 82.
Australia captain and wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy was the guilty party both times with Alana King the unfortunate bowler.
But both batters were ruthless in making the most of their good fortune as they timed the chase to perfection, with Rodrigues showing intent from the off and Harmanpreet gradually building into her innings after the openers fell in the powerplay.
After Harmanpreet’s dismissal, Rodrigues benefited from another dropped catch with Tahlia McGrath letting the ball slip through her fingers from what seemed a straightforward catch at mid-off.
For all that Australia can point to costly errors, it is the brilliance of Rodrigues and an all-time World Cup innings that will live long in the memory.
More to follow.
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