‘This match could do to women’s cricket what 83 world cup did for men’s cricket’

In a heart-stopping, adrenaline-fueled match, India scripted history at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, chasing down a mammoth target to defeat the seven-time world champions, Australia, and secure a spot in the Women’s World Cup final.

Jemimah Rodrigues’ match-winning 127* off 134 balls was the masterclass that will be remembered for ages, showcasing her skill, determination and ability to perform under pressure.

The Australian team’s day couldn’t have gotten any worse.

Skipper Alyssa Healy dropped a crucial catch off Alana King when Rodrigues was batting on 82, and to add insult to injury, Tahlia McGrath dropped her again when she was on 106. These “inexcusable” mistakes, as the Australian media called them, proved costly, with India capitalising on the lifelines to win the match with nine deliveries to spare.

The Australian media was scathing in its criticism of the team’s performance, with headlines like “Un-Australian: Sloppy display, record chase send Healy’s troops home early from World Cup” from the Sydney Morning Herald, and “Blunder haunts skipper as Aussies knocked out of World Cup” from Channel Nine. The Australian summed it up with a blunt “Let ourselves down: Aussies blow World Cup shot as India pull off stunner”.