In the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2025against Australia, when India lost their opener Shafali Verma early while chasing a mammoth target of 339, Jemimah Rodrigues broke into the middle and supported
veteran Smriti Mandhana. Both stitched a 46-run stand for the second wicket off just 47 balls. After Mandhana’s departure, it was crucial for India to get a solid partnership between Jemimah and captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Against Australia’s quality bowling attack, Rodrigues held her nerve and continued the attacking approach. In the 21st over, the youngster hit spinner Alana King for a four and brought her fifty in 57 balls.
Both Jemimah and Harmanpreet will be vital for Indiato chase down the colossal target. The two have built a 90-run partnership off 94 balls, thus far. As of writing, India are 149/2 in 25 overs, with Rodrigues batting at an unbeaten 63 off 68 and Kaur amassing 40* off 53.
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Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner’s efforts helped Australia post a huge total
Earlier, batting first after winning the toss, Australia put up a humongous total of 338 in 49.5 overs. In the high-octane contest, Phoebe Litchfield stepped up for the Aussie side and took India’s bowling attack to the cleaners. She accumulated 119 runs off 93 balls and built pressure on India’s bowling attack. Litchfield got support from veteran Ellyse Perry, who chipped in with her 77 off 88.
Ashleigh Gardner, who came at number six, also looked relentless against the bowlers. She hammered 63 off 45. Pacer Kranti Gaud emerged as the most expensive bowler for India as she took captain Alyssa Healy’s wicket but conceded 58 runs in her six overs. Radha Yadav also splurged runs at an miserable economy of 8.25 after bowling eight overs.
