After a tough start and a remarkable comeback, the Indian women’s cricket team has made its place in the World Cup finals against South Africa. The second final match was held on Wednesday, as Jemimah Rodrigues smashed a stunning 127 against five, securing an astonishing victory.
The match was held in the DY Patil stadium in Navi Mumbai, where Australia made 338 runs with its opening batter Phoebe Litchfield scoring 119 and giving a strong start with Ellyse Perry and Asleigh Gardner continuing with 50 each. However, as India returned to the field, Rodrigues scored an insane 14 fours, etching India’s name in the women’s ODI. The outcome will lead to a new ODI champion in the final scheduled on 2 November.
Alyssa Healy was given a chance to score after India’s Harmanpreet Kaur spilt a catch, but she lost the chance to capitalise on this attempt and was forced to drop at five. Litchfield showed a commendable performance with 155 runs in 77 balls. She was on her 102 run when India’s Richa Ghosh missed a catch, which followed Litchfield’s victory over Deepti Sharma’s with continued sixes.
The match was leaning towards Australia in the mid-innings. As India began to take quick wickets, Gardner, on the other hand, took the team above the 300-mark. The team was only back on track after Rodrigues and Harmanpreet together made 167 runs. Harmanpreet had to return before 100, but Rodrigues benefited as Annabel Sutherland could not gain a wicket against her, leading her to take the big victory for India as the team cheered and praised the young cricketer.
Many, including India’s former captain, Virat Kohli, praised Rodrigues on her win, calling it an “inspiration”. While Sachin Tendulkar also acknowledged and celebrated the victory of the women in blue. With 9 balls remaining, the 25-year-old took India to the finals with a performance of her life.
