In the semifinal, Jemimah Rodrigues produced the performance of her career, guiding India to a historic win over defending champions Australia. Her unbeaten 127, combined with Harmanpreet Kaur’s fluent 89, propelled India to 341/5 in pursuit of 338 — the highest successful chase ever recorded in a Women’s World Cup knockout match.
Match-by-match journey:
Match 1: India vs Sri Lanka – Won by 59 runs (DLS method)
India began their campaign on a confident note in Mumbai, putting up a solid performance with both bat and ball. After opting to bat first, they posted 269/8 in 50 overs, anchored by crucial half-centuries from Deepti Sharma (67) and Amanjot Kaur (58). The duo’s 97-run partnership steadied the innings after an early wobble. In response, Sri Lanka showed some resistance through Chamari Athapaththu’s fighting 65, but Deepti’s all-round brilliance proved decisive once again as she picked up 3/54, helping India bowl out Sri Lanka for 211 in 45.4 overs.
Match 2: India vs Pakistan – Won by 88 runs
In the much-anticipated encounter, India asserted their dominance from the outset and never looked back. Batting first on a sluggish pitch, Harleen Deol’s composed 46 helped India post a competitive 247 before being bowled out. The bowlers then took charge, with Kranti Gaud (3/20) and Deepti Sharma (3/45) dismantling Pakistan’s batting order, leaving them reeling at 98/6. Although Aliya Riaz offered some late resistance, it wasn’t enough as Pakistan were dismissed for 159, giving India their second consecutive win of the tournament.
Match 3: India vs South Africa – Lost by 3 wickets
India’s campaign took a dramatic turn in Pune, where they suffered their first setback in a tense thriller. After posting 281/7, thanks to Richa Ghosh’s elegant 94 and Smriti Mandhana’s steady 45, India appeared in control when South Africa stumbled to 81/5. But Marizanne Kapp (78*) and Nadine de Klerk (42*) staged a stunning unbeaten stand to steer their team home with seven balls remaining. The narrow defeat exposed India’s struggles with death bowling and control in tight finishes.
Match 4: India vs Australia – Lost by 3 wickets
In a high-octane contest in Bengaluru, India posted a formidable 330, powered by Smriti Mandhana’s fluent 80 and youngster Pratika Rawal’s assured 75. However, Australia mounted a relentless chase led by Alyssa Healy’s blistering 142 off 107 balls. Despite taking the game deep, India’s spinners failed to contain the assault as Australia clinched victory with seven wickets down and four balls to spare.
Match 5: India vs England – Lost by 4 runs
This turned out to be the most heartbreaking loss of India’s campaign. England set a target of 289, guided by Heather Knight’s composed 109. India appeared to be cruising at 210/2, with Mandhana (88) and Harmanpreet Kaur (70) dictating terms. But a sudden middle-order collapse derailed the chase. Deepti Sharma’s fighting fifty revived hopes, yet India fell agonisingly short, needing 22 off the final 12 balls.
Match 6: India vs New Zealand – Won by 53 runs (DLS method)
With their semifinal hopes on the line, India delivered one of their most dominant performances of the tournament. Openers Smriti Mandhana (102) and Pratika Rawal (104) stitched together a record 198-run stand — India’s highest opening partnership in Women’s World Cup history. Jemimah Rodrigues’ unbeaten 76 took India to 340/3. Rain halted New Zealand’s chase at 212/6, handing India a 53-run win via the DLS method and a ticket to the semifinals.
Match 7: India vs Bangladesh – No result (rain)
Rain played spoilsport in the final group match after India took early control. Radha Yadav’s disciplined 3/30 restricted Bangladesh to 119/9 in 27 overs, and openers Mandhana (29*) and Shafali Verma (24*) gave India a flying start, racing to 57/0 before the downpour forced an abandonment. The shared points ensured India’s progression to the knockouts.
Now, with just one step separating them from glory, India stand on the brink of history. A victory against South Africa in the final would bring home their maiden Women’s ODI World Cup title — the perfect culmination to a campaign defined by setbacks, comebacks, and unyielding spirit.