On Thursday, October 30, hosts India Women etched history as they defeated one of the most successful sides in Women’s ODIs and defending champions Australia Women by five wickets at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai in the CWC 2025 semi-final. Coming into the semi-final after beating New Zealand Women in their second last league stage fixture, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led India Women surpassed the Australian challenge to setup the summit clash with South Africa Women, who defeated England by 125 runs.
For the unversed, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, the reigning champions posted 338 runs, courtesy a 119-run knock from Phoebe Litchfield and key 88-ball 77 from Ellyse Perry and 45-ball 63 from Ashleigh Gardner. However,
after posting a mammoth score on the board, it somehow looked difficult for the Women in Blue to chase it down, but on the back of an unbeaten century from Jemimah Rodrigues and a 89-run knock from Harmanpreet Kaur, India chase the total in 48.3 overs.
Jemimah Rodrigues in tears after meeting father Ivan following her unbeaten 127 vs AUS-W
After guiding the hosts over the finish line, Jemimah Rodrigues could not contain her emotions and was seen breaking down in tears. In an emotional post-match address at the presentation, Rodrigues said, “Firstly I want to thank Jesus, because I couldn’t do this on my own. I know he carried me through today. I want to thank my mum, my dad, my coach and every single person who believed in me . It was really hard these last four months, but it just feels like a dream and it hasn’t sunk in yet.”
Following her emotional speech, she was seen meeting her father Ivan Rodrigues on the sidelines and broke down in tears, video of which have been making rounds on social media. “Look at the emotions as well for Jemimah. It has been a tough one, a little bit of an anxiety-ridden one. It was great to see how she put her heart on her sleeve,” broadcaster Mayanti Langer said as she described the entire sequence of events.
