Jemimah Rodrigues' sensational unbeaten knock of 127 propelled India into the Women's World Cup final after a thrilling five-wicket victory over defending champions Australia. 

Handed a mammoth target of 339 to progress to the showpiece match, Rodrigues, along with Harmanpreet Kaur, led from the front to seal their date with South Africa on Sunday. 

India made a quick start to the match when Australia captain Alyssa Healy was dismissed for just five runs after being bowled out by Kranti Goud in the sixth over.

However, a stunning century from Phoebe Litchfield (119) was coupled with a strong contribution from Ellyse Perry (77), which seemingly put Australia in control of the match. 

But once Litchfield was dismissed, a middle-order collapse that saw Beth Mooney (24), Annabel Sutherland (three) and Perry bowled out threatened to derail their scoring. 

Ashleigh Gardner's 63 was able to steady the ship, with Australia having lost four for 45 in the latter half of the middle overs, as India were tasked with a daunting chase.

And it appeared a step too far for India with just 10 overs bowled, with openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana removed for 10 and 24, respectively, in the early stages. 

Despite that setback, a 167-run partnership between Rodrigues and Harmanpreet put India in the ascendency, though both had been gifted reprieves by Healy in their innings. 

After Harmanpreet's dismissal, Rodrigues benefited from another dropped catch by Tahlia McGrath, which should have been a straightforward take.

And with nine balls remaining, Amanjot Kaur (15) struck the winning runs to spark wild scenes in Navi Mumbai as India reached their first World Cup final since 2017. 

#Final, 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗪𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘! #TeamIndia book their spot in the #CWC25 final on a historic Navi Mumbai night!

Scorecard https://t.co/ou9H5gN60l#WomenInBlue | #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/RCo6FlbXSX

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) October 30, 2025

Data Debrief: India make history en route to the final

There will be a new name on the World Cup in 2025, though India ensured their progression to the showpiece match by doing things the hard way on Friday. 

Indeed, India recorded the highest run chase in Women's ODI history, surpassing Australia's heroics against them in Visakhapatnam earlier this year. 

Even more impressively, India dealt Australia their first defeat in 16 ODI World Cup matches, and they will be hopeful of going one better in the final against South Africa.