Jemimah Rodrigues' match-winning century sends India to World Cup final vs South Africa

Navi Mumbai (The Uttam Hindu) : Jemimah Rodrigues (127 not out) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (89) led India to a five-wicket win over Australia with nine balls to spare in the second semi-final of the Women's ODI World Cup on Thursday, advancing to the final of the tournament where they will face South Africa. Jemimah Rodrigues, who scored an unbeaten century of 127, was awarded the Player of the Match.

Chasing a target of 339, India had a poor start, losing opener Shafali Verma (10) for 13 runs. She was trapped leg before wicket by Kim Garth. Garth then dismissed Smriti Mandhana (24) in the 10th over. In such a critical situation, the pair of Jemimah Rodrigues and captain Harmanpreet Kaur not only steadied the innings but also scored runs quickly. The two batsmen shared a 167-run partnership for the third wicket. Annabel Sutherland broke this partnership by dismissing Harmanpreet Kaur in the 36th over. Harmanpreet Kaur played a brilliant innings of 89 runs off 88 balls, hitting 10 fours and two sixes. In the 41st over, Deepti Sharma (24) was run out for the fourth wicket off 17 balls. Rodrigues completed her century with a single off the fourth ball of the 42nd over. During this, she hit 10 fours in 115 balls. In the 46th over, Sutherland gave a big blow to India by dismissing Richa Ghosh for 26 runs in 16 balls. Richa Ghosh hit two fours and two sixes in her innings. Amanjot Kaur hit a four on the third ball of the 49th over, taking the score to 341 runs for five wickets and giving India a five-wicket victory. Amanjot Kaur scored unbeaten 15 runs in eight balls, hitting two fours. Jemimah Rodrigues scored match-winning unbeaten 127 runs in 134 balls, hitting 14 fours.

Annabel Sutherland and Kim Garth took two wickets each for Australia. Earlier, Phoebe Litchfield's brilliant century (119) and half-centuries from Ellyse Perry (77) and Ashleigh Gardner (63) helped Australia post a strong total of 338 in 49.5 overs in the second semi-final against India. While this was a tall order, India will be pleased to have managed to restrict Australia to at least 15-20 runs. Litchfield played very few miscues throughout her century innings and kept every bowler under pressure. Perry displayed her expertise throughout the innings. However, the frequent loss of wickets in the last 15-20 overs posed a problem for Australia. However, Gardner played a brilliant innings and led her team to a strong total.

India would have been relatively happy to have conceded 338 runs. One or two of their players would have returned smiling. At one point, with Litchfield at the crease for Australia, 400 runs looked likely, but a steady fall of wickets took control of the situation. Healy was dismissed early, and after the rain, Litchfield and Perry performed well, putting on a 155-run partnership. Litchfield batted brilliantly and scored her first World Cup century in a major match. Litchfield hit 17 fours and three sixes in her 119 off 93 balls.

At that point, India were under pressure. But a brilliant effort from Schoop sent her back to the pavilion, giving India a chance to fight back. India lost wickets in quick succession, but Gardner played a quickfire innings, scoring 63 runs off 45 balls, including four fours and four sixes. Her innings helped Australia at the end as she hit the ball across the boundary. Still, Australia must have felt they could have scored at least 30 more runs. India's fielding was mediocre, leading to numerous errors and conceded runs. Once again, Sri Charani was India's best bowler. Scoring runs in a big match always creates pressure. But this is a good wicket and a fast outfield. If dew falls, it will only benefit the team chasing the target.

Sri Charani and Deepti Sharma took two wickets each for India. Australia lost three wickets in the last over.