Follow UsAbhishek Sharma, the Indian men’s team opener, praised the performance of the Indian women’s cricket squad following their dramatic semi-final victory over the Australian women's in Navi Mumbai. He called their effort “motivational” and said that they truly deserve the trophy.
In the semi-final clash of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, the Indian women achieved the highest successful run-chase in Women’s ODI history, chasing down Australia’s massive total of 339 in just 48.3 overs. Jemimah Rodrigues, who remained unbeaten on 127, and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored 89 runs, were the heroes of the game for India.
Sharma said that everyone in the team stepped up when it mattered, and it didn’t appear as though the women’s team felt the weight of pressure.
“We were all following the match. Because the way the match was played, I don’t think India has ever won a match like this in women’s cricket,” he said after India went down to Australia in the second T20I on October 31 (Friday).
“I think the maturity and teamwork that was shown as a team, I think we are really proud of them. We were just watching the match all together. Everyone was watching the match somewhere. And they were doing this, I mean, there were so many runs. As Jemimah, Harman and Smriti, they all played. And everyone played cameos in between. So, I think it didn’t feel like there was pressure on them.”
“But obviously, as a team, the Indian team, if you see that the women’s team is doing so well, then you get motivated, of course. Finally, I think they deserve the trophy for the way they played the semi-final game. I think they really deserve it. And they are going to do well.”
Although India’s men faced a setback where they fell behind 0-1 in the T20I series against Australia, Sharma pointed out the motivational effect of the women’s team’s success. “Seeing the women’s team perform so well gives all of us motivation. They’ve earned the trophy with the kind of cricket they played. I firmly believe they’ll do well,” he said.
The win puts the Indian women on the brink of history as they will now face the South African women’s in the final of the Women’s World Cup, with each side chasing their first ICC title.