Pitch Update – Ian Bishop, reporting from pitch side, mentions that the cloudy conditions could give fast bowlers some early help. He notes that while the surface itself might not offer much seam or spin, there could be a bit of swing in the air. The pitch, he says, doesn’t have the same shine as earlier ones, suggesting it’s likely to play true without much grip. With decent bounce and pace expected, Bishop predicts it could be another run-filled encounter.
TOSS- The toss is underway, and there’s early buzz from the center as Alyssa Healy joins Harmanpreet Kaur. Harmanpreet flips the coin, and it lands on tails “Australia decides to bat first”. Healy says the pitch looks excellent and expects little change through the match, calling it a fine chance to post a strong total. She adds with a smile that she’s fit again, only feeling “a touch older.” After their qualification, she used the break to rest and recover. With a spot in the final on the line, Healy emphasizes that the better side on the day will move ahead. Australia makes two changes Healy returns, and Molineux replaces Wareham.
Team Players India XI Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Amanjot Kaur, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Kranti Gaud, N Shree Charani, Renuka Singh Australia XI Alyssa Healy (capt & wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Kim Garth, Alana King, Megan Schutt
1ST OVER– 3/0
After the first over, Australia Women are 3 without loss at a run rate of 3.00. The over included a couple of wides and singles.
2ND OVER- 12/0
End of 2 overs: Australia Women 12 without loss, run rate at 6.00 with 9 runs coming off the over.
3RD OVER– 17/0
End of 3 overs: Australia Women 17 for no loss, run rate 5.66.
4TH OVER– 22/0
End of 4 overs: Australia Women 22 without loss, run rate 5.50.
5TH OVER– 25/0
End of 5 overs: Australia Women 25 without loss, run rate 5.00.
WICKET: Gaud to Healy, out! The breakthrough India needed finally arrives. Gaud strikes as Healy chops one back onto her stumps. It was a length delivery that nipped back slightly; Healy poked at it away from her body and got an inside edge crashing into the middle stump. A huge wicket for India, and visible relief for Harmanpreet and her team.
Heavy rain is pouring down now and the covers are being brought on; after a brief floodlight issue and Healy’s dismissal, the match faces yet another delay, an eventful few minutes indeed.
Play is set to resume at 3:40 pm local time with no overs lost yet, as the conditions are improving and the sun slowly breaks through the clouds.
6TH OVER– 34/1
End of 6 overs: Australia Women 34/1, scoring 9 runs in the over with a current run rate of 5.66.
7TH OVER– 41/1
End of 7 overs: Australia Women 41 for 1, scoring at 5.85 runs per over.
8TH OVER – 56/1
End of 8 overs: Australia Women 56/1, scoring at 7 runs per over.
9TH OVER – 60/1
End of 9 overs: Australia Women 60 for 1, scoring at 6.66 runs per over.
10TH OVER – 72/1
End of 10 overs: Australia Women 72/1, scoring at 7.20 runs per over.
11TH OVER – 79/1
End of 11 overs: Australia Women 79 for 1, scoring at 7.18 runs per over.
12TH OVER – 80/1
After 12 overs, Australia Women are 80 for 1 with a current run rate of 6.66.
13TH OVER – 82/1
End of 13 overs: Australia Women 82 for 1, scoring at 6.30 runs per over.
14TH OVER – 89/1
After 14 overs, Australia Women are 89 for 1 with a current run rate of 6.35.
15TH OVER – 99/1
End of 15 overs, Australia Women reach 99 for 1, scoring 10 runs in the over with a current run rate of 6.60.
16TH OVER – 107/1
End of 16 overs, Australia Women at 107 for 1, scoring at 6.68 runs per over (8 runs in the last over).
17TH OVER – 113/1
End of 17 overs, Australia Women at 113 for 1, scoring at 6.64 runs per over.
18TH OVER – 115/1
End of 18 overs, Australia Women at 115 for 1, run rate 6.38.
19TH OVER – 121/1
End of 19 overs, Australia Women 121 for 1, run rate 6.36.
20TH OVER – 135/1
End of 20 overs, Australia Women 135 for 1, scoring at 6.75 runs per over.
21ST OVER – 144/1
End of 21 overs, Australia Women 144 for 1, scoring at 6.85 runs per over.
22ND OVER – 149/1
After 22 overs, Australia Women are 149 for 1 with a current run rate of 6.77.
23RD OVER – 152/1
At the end of 23 overs, Australia Women are 152 for 1 with a current run rate of 6.60.
24TH OVER– 157/1
After 24 overs and 5 balls, Australia Women are 157 for 1 with a current run rate of 6.54.
25TH OVER– 159/1
After 25 overs, Australia Women are 159 for 1 with a current run rate of 6.36.
26TH OVER– 162/1
After 26 overs, Australia Women are 162 for 1 with a run rate of 6.23, adding 3 runs in the latest over.
27TH OVER– 178/1
End of the 27th over: Australia Women 178 for 1, scoring at 6.59 runs per over.
WICKET: Amanjot bowls to Litchfield and gets her bowled! Litchfield tries to scoop one over fine leg but moves across too early; Amanjot keeps it straight on the stumps, and the ball crashes into middle ending a fine innings.
28TH OVER– 181/2
End of 28 overs: Australia Women 181 for 2, scoring 3 runs in the over; current run rate 6.46.
29TH OVER– 188/2
End of 29 overs: Australia Women reach 188 for 2, scoring 7 runs in the over with a current run rate of 6.48.
30TH OVER– 193/2
End of the 30th over: Australia Women at 193 for 2, scoring at 6.43 runs per over.
31ST OVER– 196/2
End of 31 overs: Australia Women at 196 for 2, scoring at 6.32 runs per over.
32ND OVER– 207/2
End of 32 overs: Australia Women 207 for 2, scoring 11 runs in the over with a current run rate of 6.46.
33RD OVER– 215/2
End of 33 overs: Australia Women 215 for 2, scoring at 6.51 runs per over.
WICKET: Charani to Mooney- out! Mooney steps out to drive a flighted delivery but mistimes it, sending a simple catch to Rodrigues in the covers, who runs back and holds it nicely at head height.
34TH OVER– 220/3
After 34 overs, Australia Women are 220 for 3 with a run rate of 6.47, scoring 5 runs and losing 1 wicket in the over.
35TH OVER– 225/3
End of 35 overs: Australia Women at 225 for 3, scoring at 6.42 runs per over.
WICKET: Charani to Sutherland, out! A slower, fuller delivery on middle and off; Sutherland lunges forward but fails to reach the pitch, the ball grips slightly, and she chips it straight back to Charani for an easy return catch. Another breakthrough for India, two quick wickets and momentum shifting their way.
36TH OVER– 228/4
After 36 overs, Australia Women are 228 for 4, scoring at 6.33 runs per over with 3 runs and 1 wicket coming in the latest over.
37TH OVER– 233/4
End of 37 overs: Australia Women at 233 for 4, scoring at 6.29 runs per over with 5 runs added in the last over.
38TH OVER– 234/4
End of 38 overs: Australia Women 234 for 4, scoring at 6.15 runs per over.
39TH OVER– 243/4
After 39 overs, Australia Women are 243 for 4, scoring at 6.23 runs per over.
WICKET: Yadav dismisses Perry! A quicker delivery angles in from outside off, sneaking through as Perry moves away to target the off side but misses completely. The ball crashes into the stumps, ending her determined 88-ball 77. Radha celebrates with delight as Australia lose a crucial wicket and momentum begins to shift.
40TH OVER– 253/5
After 40 overs, Australia Women stand at 253 for 5, scoring 10 runs in the last over with a current run rate of 6.32.
41ST OVER– 260/5
After 41 overs, Australia Women are 260 for 5 with a run rate of 6.34, adding 7 runs in the latest over.
WICKET: Amanjot to Gardner, OUT! A terrible mix-up between the batters as McGrath departs. Gardner taps a short ball to extra cover and calls for a run, but McGrath is caught ball-watching and reacts too late. Rodrigues fires a sharp throw to Ghosh, who completes the run-out smartly. A completely avoidable dismissal and a welcome breakthrough for India.
42ND OVER– 271/6
End of 42 overs: Australia Women 271/6, scoring 11 runs in the over with a current run rate of 6.45.
43TH OVER– 275/6
End of over 43: Australia Women 275 for 6, run rate 6.39.
44TH OVER– 279/6
End of 44 overs: Australia Women 279 for 6, run rate 6.34.
45TH OVER– 292/6
End of 45 overs: Australia Women at 292 for 6, scoring 13 runs in the over with a current run rate of 6.48.
46TH OVER– 300/6
After 46 overs, Australia Women are 300 for 6 with a run rate of 6.52.
47TH OVER– 311/6
End of 47 overs: Australia Women at 311 for 6, current run rate 6.61.
48TH OVER– 319/6
End of the 48th over: Australia Women 319 for 6, scoring at 6.64 runs per over.
WICKET: Yadav to Gardner, OUT- confusion in the middle! A quicker one angled into the blockhole outside off, Gardner mistimes it to square leg and sets off for a run. Garth hesitates, then refuses the call after a few steps. Gardner turns back too late as the throw comes in and the bails are off. A soft dismissal and a disappointing finish, but her brisk innings has taken Australia past 330.
49TH OVER– 335/7
End of the 49th over: Australia Women 335 for 7, scoring 16 runs in the over with a current run rate of 6.83.
WICKET: Sharma to King, OUT! A loud appeal for caught behind, Deepti immediately signals for a review and Harmanpreet agrees. The delivery is slower, pitched on a length outside off and angled away. King moves slightly across and attempts a big swipe across the line. It looks like she’s missed, but India are convinced, rightly so. The replay shows a faint under-edge, and the review works perfectly for India.
WICKET: Sharma to Molineux, OUT! Deepti strikes twice in a row as she fires in a full delivery on leg stump. Molineux shuffles across and tries to flick it behind square but misses completely. The ball crashes into the leg stump, and Australia lose their ninth wicket.
WICKET: Sharma to Garth, 1 run, out- tossed up around middle and off, Garth charges down and drives to long off, tries to push for a risky second but is caught short as Ghosh removes the bails; Australia bowled out with one ball left in the innings.
49.5 OVER- 338/10
Australia posted 338 in 49.5 overs after another dominant batting performance. Despite Healy’s early exit, Litchfield anchored the innings with a superb century while Perry contributed a steady 77. Some middle-order stumbles briefly slowed momentum, but Gardner’s late fireworks ensured the world champions powered past 330, though they fell just short of what once looked like a 350-plus total.
Australia Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | S/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alyssa Healy (C) (Wk) | b Kranti Goud | 5 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Phoebe Litchfield | b Amanjot Kaur | 119 | 93 | 17 | 3 | 127.96 |
| Ellyse Perry | b Radha Yadav | 77 | 88 | 6 | 2 | 87.50 |
| Beth Mooney | c Jemimah Rodrigues b Nallapureddy Charani | 24 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 109.09 |
| Annabel Sutherland | c & b Nallapureddy Charani | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Ashleigh Gardner | run out (Kranti Goud) | 63 | 45 | 4 | 4 | 140.00 |
| Tahlia McGrath | run out (Jemimah Rodrigues) | 12 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 171.43 |
| Kim Garth | run out (Amanjot Kaur) | 17 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Alana King | c Richa Ghosh b Deepti Sharma | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Sophie Molineux | b Deepti Sharma | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Megan Schutt | not out | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Extras | 13 (W 11, LB 2) |
|---|---|
| Total | 338 (10 wkts, 49.5 ov) |
The chase begins as Australia takes the field; Mandhana and Shafali stride out to open for India, with Healy up to the stumps and Schutt ready to deliver the first ball to Shafali.
1ST OVER– 8/0
End of over 1: India Women 8/0, current run rate 8.00, required rate 6.75, needing 331 runs from 49 overs.
WICKET: Garth delivers to Shafali Verma- out lbw! It was given after the boundary, and Shafali instantly went for a review. The ball pitched outside off on a good length, jagged back sharply, beat the inside edge, and struck her front pad around the knee roll. The DRS showed three reds, confirming the dismissal, and India lose both the review and their opener.
Jemimah Rodrigues is the No.3
2ND OVER– 15/1
End of 2 overs: India Women 15/1, scoring at 7.50 with a required rate of 6.75- need 324 runs in 48 overs.
3RD OVER– 18/1
After 3 overs, India Women are 18 for 1 with a current run rate of 6.00, requiring 321 more runs from 47 overs at a rate of 6.82 per over.
4TH OVER– 20/1
End of 4 overs: India Women 20/1, current run rate 5.00, required run rate 6.93, need 319 more runs from 46 overs.
5TH OVER– 27/1
End of 5 overs: India Women 27/1, scoring at 5.40 runs per over, need 312 more from 45 overs with a required rate of 6.93.
6TH OVER– 38/1
End of 6 overs: India Women 38/1, scoring at 6.33 runs per over, need 301 more runs in 44 overs with a required rate of 6.84
7TH OVER– 44/1
End of 7 overs, India Women are 44 for 1, scoring at 6.28 runs per over and requiring 295 more from 43 overs at a rate of 6.86.
8TH OVER- 49/1
End of 8 overs, India Women are 49 for 1, scoring at 6.12 runs per over, with a required rate of 6.90 and needing 290 runs from the remaining 42 overs.
9TH OVER– 55/1
End of the 9th over: India Women are 55 for 1, scoring at 6.11 runs per over, with 284 more needed from 41 overs at a required rate of 6.92.
WICKET: Kim Garth bowls to Smriti Mandhana, and she’s caught behind after a faint edge down the leg side. Alyssa Healy takes a sharp catch, reviews the on-field call after the umpire signals wide, and UltraEdge confirms a spike. The decision is overturned, Mandhana departs shaking her head as Australia celebrates a smart bit of keeping from Healy.
10TH OVER– 60/2
After 10 overs, India Women are 60 for 2, scoring at 6 per over. They require 279 more runs from 40 overs with a required rate of 6.97.
11TH OVER– 66/2
At the end of 11 overs, India Women are 66 for 2 with a current run rate of 6.00 and require 273 more runs from 39 overs at a required rate of 7.00.
12TH OVER- 73/2
End of over 12: India Women at 73 for 2, current run rate 6.08, required run rate 7.00, needing 266 more runs in 38 overs.
13TH OVER– 74/2
End of 13th over: India Women are 74 for 2, scoring at 5.69 runs per over, with 265 more needed from 37 overs at a required rate of 7.16.
14TH OVER- 83/2
End of 14 overs: India Women at 83/2, scoring 5.92 runs per over, need 256 more runs in 36 overs with a required rate of 7.11.
15TH OVER-88/2
End of 15 overs: India Women 88 for 2, scoring at 5.86 runs per over and now need 251 more from 35 overs at a required rate of 7.17.
16TH OVER– 94/2
End of 16 overs – India Women at 94 for 2, scoring at 5.87 runs per over, now requiring 245 more from the remaining 34 overs with a required run rate of 7.20.
17TH OVER- 99/2
End of 17 overs: India Women 99 for 2, scoring at 5.82 runs per over, require 240 more from 33 overs with a required rate of 7.27.
18TH OVER– 107/2
End of the 18th over: India Women at 107/2, scoring at 5.94 runs per over and requiring 232 more runs from 32 overs at a required rate of 7.25.
19TH OVER– 111/2
End of the 19th over: India Women 111/2, scoring at 5.84 runs per over, with a required rate of 7.35 and 228 runs needed from 31 overs.
20TH OVER– 116/2
End of the 20th over: India Women are 116 for 2, scoring at 5.80 runs per over, requiring 223 more runs from the remaining 30 overs at a required rate of 7.43.
21ST OVER– 124/2
End of 21 overs: India Women 124/2, scoring at 5.90 runs per over, need 215 more from 29 overs with a required rate of 7.41.
22ND OVER– 132/2
End of 22 overs: India Women 132/2, scoring at 6.00 runs per over, need 207 more runs from 28 overs with a required rate of 7.39.
23RD OVER– 138/2
End of 23 overs: India Women 138/2, current run rate 6.00, required run rate 7.44, need 201 more runs from 27 overs.
24TH OVER– 145/2
End of 24 overs: India Women at 145 for 2, scoring at 6.04 runs per over, need 194 more from 26 overs with a required rate of 7.46.
25TH OVER– 149/2
End of 25 overs: India Women are 149 for 2, scoring at 5.96 runs per over, needing 190 more from the remaining 25 overs at a required rate of 7.60.
26TH OVER– 163/2
End of 26 overs: India Women 163 for 2, scoring at 6.26 runs per over, with 176 more needed from 24 overs at a required rate of 7.33.
27TH OVER– 165/2
End of 27 overs: India Women at 165/2, scoring at 6.11 runs per over and needing 174 more from 23 overs with a required rate of 7.56.
28TH OVER– 174/2
End of 28 overs: India Women 174/2, scoring at 6.21 runs per over; they now need 165 more from 22 overs with a required rate of 7.50.
29TH OVER– 179/2
After 29 overs, India Women are 179 for 2, scoring at 6.17 runs per over and requiring 160 more runs in 21 overs at a required rate of 7.61.
30TH OVER– 189/2
At the end of 30 overs, India Women are 189 for 2, scoring at 6.30 runs per over, and require 150 more runs from the remaining 20 overs at a required rate of 7.50.
31ST OVER– 198/2
After 31 overs, India Women are 198 for 2, scoring at 6.38 runs per over and require 141 more runs from 19 overs at a required rate of 7.42.
32ND OVER- 201/2
End of the 32nd over: India Women at 201/2, scoring at 6.28 runs per over, need 138 more from 18 overs with a required rate of 7.66.
33RD OVER– 212/2
End of 33 overs: India Women at 212 for 2, scoring at 6.42 runs per over, require 127 more runs from 17 overs at a required rate of 7.47.
34TH OVER– 218/2
After 34 overs, India Women are 218 for 2, scoring at 6.41 runs per over and needing 121 more runs from 96 balls at a required rate of 7.56.
35TH OVER– 226/2
End of 35 overs: India Women at 226 for 2, scoring at 6.45 runs per over. They require 113 more from 90 balls with a required rate of 7.53.
WICKET: Sutherland dismisses Harmanpreet Kaur as she skies one towards Gardner, who dives brilliantly to complete the catch. The Indian captain departs for 89 off 88 balls with 10 fours and 2 sixes at a strike rate of 101.13, giving Australia a crucial breakthrough.
36TH OVER– 230/3
After 36 overs, India Women are 230 for 3, scoring at 6.38 runs per over, with 109 more needed from 84 balls at a required rate of 7.78.
37TH OVER– 234/3
End of 37 overs: India Women 234/3, scoring at 6.32 runs per over, need 105 more from 78 balls with a required rate of 8.07.
38TH OVER– 241/3
End of the 38th over: India Women at 241 for 3, scoring at 6.34 runs per over, needing 98 more from 72 balls with a required rate of 8.16.
39TH OVER-249/3
After 39 overs, India Women are 249 for 3, scoring at 6.38 runs per over and requiring 90 more runs from 66 balls at a required rate of 8.18.
40TH OVER– 257/3
After 40 overs, India Women are 257 for 3 with a current run rate of 6.42, requiring 82 more runs from the remaining 60 balls at a required rate of 8.20.
WICKET: Gardner to Rodrigues, OUT! A huge setback for India as Deepti Sharma is run out after a mix-up. Gardner shortens the length on middle and leg, Rodrigues moves forward and nudges it to short fine leg. Some hesitation follows, but Deepti charges for the single despite the uncertainty. Garth fires a direct throw to Healy, who removes the bails with Deepti short of her crease. A poor piece of running costs India dearly. Deepti Sharma run out (Garth/†Healy) 24 (17b, 3×4, 0x6, SR 141.17).
41TH OVER– 264/4
End of the 41st over: India Women at 264 for 4, scoring at 6.43 per over, require 75 more runs from 54 balls with a required rate of 8.33.
42ND OVER- 276/4
At the end of the 42nd over, India Women are 276 for 4, scoring at 6.57 runs per over and needing 63 runs from 48 balls with a required rate of 7.87.
43RD OVER– 284/4
After 43 overs, India Women are 284 for 4, scoring at 6.60 runs per over and requiring 55 more runs from 42 balls with a required rate of 7.85.
44TH OVER– 291/4
At the end of 44 overs, India Women are 291 for 4, scoring at 6.61 runs per over and requiring 48 more runs from 36 balls at a required rate of 8.
45TH OVER– 305/4
After 45 overs, India Women are 305 for 4, scoring at 6.77 runs per over and requiring 34 more runs from 30 balls at a required rate of 6.80.
WICKET: Sutherland gets Ghosh caught at backward point by Garth for 26 off 16 balls (2 fours, 2 sixes) at a strike rate of 162.5, keeping Australia in the game.
46TH OVER– 310/5
After 46 overs, India Women are 310 for 5, scoring at 6.73 runs per over, with a required rate of 7.25 and needing 29 runs from the final 24 balls.
47TH OVER– 316/5
End of the 47th over: India Women are 316 for 5, scoring at 6.72 runs per over, requiring 23 more runs from 18 balls at a required rate of 7.66.
48TH OVER– 331/5
End of 48 overs: India Women 331/5, scoring at 6.89 runs per over, require 8 more runs from 12 balls with a needed rate of 4.00.
49TH OVER– 341/5
India Women clinched victory by 5 wickets with nine balls to spare.
India faced an impossible challenge against the reigning champions, chasing a record total no women’s ODI team had ever achieved. Losing Shafali and Mandhana early made the task even tougher, but Jemimah Rodrigues rose to the occasion with a masterclass innings that will be remembered for years. Calm, composed, and determined, she carried the chase till the very end while others faltered, her emotions after the win reflecting the magnitude of the moment. In her debut ODI World Cup, Rodrigues has not only anchored a historic run chase but also brought India within touching distance of their first-ever World Cup glory.
