NAVI MUMBAI: Jemimah Rodrigues rose to the occasion with an imperious knock under pressure to guide India past defending champions Australia and into the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup here on Thursday.
Set a daunting 339-run target, India hit the winning runs on the loss of five wickets with nine balls to spare. This also marked the highest-ever chase for a team in the Women’s ODIs.
The final of the marquee event will be played on Sunday between India and South Africa.
The hosts started the chase on a shaky note as they lost the opener Shafali Verma in the second over, who made 10 from five balls. Following the early wicket, Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues added a 46-run stand.
However, Mandhana was removed after scoring 24 from 24 deliveries. As a result, India were 59-2 in 9.2 overs.
The moment was there and came, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who paired up with Rodrigues for a mammoth 167-run partnership. The duo’s stance was enough to prompt Australia to seek answers.
Their partnership took the total to 226 in 35.2 overs, with the hosts still requiring runs to score. Australia sensed a comeback with Kaur’s wicket, who departed after making 89 from 88 balls with the aid of 10 fours and two sixes.
Yet, it was Rodrigues’ composure at the crease that took his side over the line in the final over. Albeit Richa Ghosh played a vital cameo of 26 from 16 balls, Jemimah Rodrigues 127 from 134 balls included 14 fours.
For Australia, Kim Garth and Annabel Sutherland picked up two wickets each.
Earlier, Phoebe Litchfield’s 119 from just 93 balls propelled Australia to a strong total.
Australia capitalized on the decision to bat first and racked up 338 runs in 49.5 overs.
Skipper Alyssa Healy was removed early in the fifth over, but Phoebe Litchfield and Ellyse Perry forged a massive 155-run stand which kept the Indian bowlers at bay.
Litchfield remained the core aggressor, while Perry played second fiddle, which took their total to 180 in only 27.2 overs. The stand eventually culminated with the former wicket, who struck 17 fours and three sixes in her sublime knock.
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Perry continued on until the 40th over and was bowled after making 77 from 88 balls with the aid of six fours and two sixes. As a result, Australia were reduced to 243-5.
Despite India’s comeback in the latter part of the innings with quick wickets, Ashleigh Gardner’s 63 from 45 balls ensured the defending champions finished strong.
For India, Shree Charani and Deepti Sharma picked up two wickets each.
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