Follow UsJemimah Rodrigues produced an innings of pure class and composure in the semi-final of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 against Australia in Navi Mumbai on October 30 (Thursday), becoming only the second Indian batter after Harmanpreet Kaur to score a century in the knockout stages of the tournament.
Fittingly, it was Harmanpreet who first achieved the feat - her iconic 171* off 115 balls against the same opponent in the 2017 semi-final in Derby, England. Eight years later, Rodrigues emulated her captain’s brilliance on home soil.
Chasing a daunting target of 339, the right-hander from Mumbai walked in as early as the second over, after Shafali Verma (10 off 5) fell to Kim Garth. From the outset, Rodrigues looked determined to make a mark, showing positive intent and building a 46-run stand for the second wicket with Smriti Mandhana (24 off 24).
Rodrigues, who was dropped against England, responded with a stunning 76* off 55 balls in a must-win clash against New Zealand and carried that form into the semi-final where she found her rhythm early and anchored India’s chase.
Partnering captain Harmanpreet, Rodrigues stitched together a 167-run stand for the third wicket - India’s highest-ever partnership against Australia in Women’s ODIs. The pair’s controlled aggression never allowed the Australians to dominate, and when Harmanpreet departed, Rodrigues took charge to steer India’s innings.
She brought up her third ODI century in the 42nd over, marking a special milestone - becoming the youngest centurion against Australia in Women’s World Cup history.
Youngest centurions vs Australia in Women’s World Cup
25y 55d – Jemimah Rodrigues (Navi Mumbai, 2025)
25y 142d – Suzie Bates (Cuttack, 2013)
27y 140d – Chamari Athapaththu (Bristol, 2017)
27y 271d – Punam Raut (Bristol, 2017)
Rodrigues also became only the second batter ever to score a hundred in a Women’s World Cup knockout run-chase, following Nat Sciver-Brunt’s unbeaten 148 in the 2022 final.
This semi-final also entered the record books as only the second time two individual hundreds were scored in a Women’s World Cup knockout game - Phoebe Litchfield having earlier hit 119 off 93 in Australia’s first innings. The previous instance came in the 2022 final, when Alyssa Healy and Nat Sciver-Brunt scored centuries.
Rodrigues’ innings wasn’t without drama. She was dropped twice - once on 82 by Alyssa Healy and again on 106 by Tahlia McGrath - but made full use of her reprieves to stay unbeaten till the end.
Her majestic 127* off 134 balls not only sealed India’s highest-ever successful chase in Women’s ODI history but also ended Australia’s unbeaten World Cup run since the 2017 semifinal.
Thanks to Rodrigues’ brilliance, India now march into the final against South Africa, chasing their maiden Women’s ODI World Cup title.