Today was a memorable day for cricket fans in Mumbai, as the second semi-final of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 was played between Australia and India at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy.
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first, scoring 338 runs in 49.5 overs, but India’s bowlers performed brilliantly.
Then, the Indian girls struggled in the chase, but ultimately scored 341/5 in 48.3 overs to win by 5 wickets. This victory advanced India to the final, where they will face South Africa.
Australia’s explosive batting, but wickets kept falling
Australia didn’t have a good start. Captain Alyssa Healy was dismissed for just 5 runs, but then Phoebe Litchfield took charge. She scored 119 runs off 93 balls, hitting 17 fours and 3 sixes.
Ellyse Perry also scored 77 runs off 88 balls, while Ashleigh Gardner made 63 runs off 45 balls. Overall, the team scored 338 runs at a run rate of 6.78, including 11 wides.
Shri Charani bowled the best for India, taking 2 wickets for 49 runs in 10 overs. Deepti Sharma also took 2 wickets, but Radha Yadav’s dismissal proved costly.
Wickets began to fall at 25 runs, and they were eventually all out in 49.5 overs. This score was chaseable, but Australia felt it was a difficult target.
Twist in India’s chase, then comeback
India’s innings also got off to a shaky start. Shefali Verma was LBW for 10 runs off 5 balls, and Smriti Mandhana was caught out for 24. But then Jemimah Rodrigues performed brilliantly.
She scored 127 not out off 134 balls, including 14 fours. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur played a brilliant innings of 89 runs off 88 balls, including 10 fours and two sixes.
Richa Ghosh turned the match around with 26 runs off 16 balls, but Deepti Sharma was run out. Amanjot Kaur added 15 runs off 8 balls in the final overs.
Annabel Sutherland took two wickets for Australia, but India took advantage of 26 extra runs.
India achieved the target with a total run rate of 7.03. This match showcased the strengths of both teams, with both bowling and batting playing a key role.
The final will now be held in Mumbai, where India will try to fulfill their dream by facing South Africa.
