Top 3 Shocking Reasons Why Australia Women Lost to India Women in the 2025 World Cup Semi-Final

India Women pulled off a stunning five-wicket win over defending champions Australia Women in the second semifinal of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

Jemimah Rodrigues played a brilliant unbeaten innings to lead India’s record-breaking chase of 339 runs, guiding the team into the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 final against South Africa Women. It was one of the most memorable victories in women’s cricket history, breaking Australia’s dominance in World Cup knockouts and marking a historic moment for Indian women’s cricket.

After winning the toss, Australia Women chose to bat first and posted a massive total of 338 runs in 49.5 overs. Phoebe Litchfield scored a sensational 119 off 93 balls with 17 fours and 3 sixes, while Ellyse Perry added 77 and Ashleigh Gardner smashed a quick 63.

However, India Women’s bowlers turned the tide in the final overs, with Shree Charani and Deepti Sharma picking up two wickets each to restrict the Australia Women’s team from crossing the 340 mark.

Chasing 339, India lost openers Shafali Verma (10) and Smriti Mandhana (24) early to Kim Garth, leaving them under pressure. But Jemimah Rodrigues and captain Harmanpreet Kaur led India’s fightback with a strong 167-run stand for the third wicket. Harmanpreet scored 89 off 88 balls, while Rodrigues stayed calm till the end with an unbeaten 127 from 134 balls.

Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh added valuable runs in the closing overs before Amanjot Kaur sealed the game with a winning boundary at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. India Women chased down the massive target with nine balls to spare, registering the highest-ever successful run chase in ICC Women’s World Cup history.

This thrilling victory propelled the Indian women’s cricket team into the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 final and ended Australia Women’s hopes of defending their title. It was a defining moment in women’s cricket, showcasing India’s resilience, teamwork, and determination on the biggest stage. Below are the main reasons for Australia Women’s defeat in the semi-final clash.

1. Dropped Catches Off Jemimah Rodrigues: The Costly Mistake That Ended Australia’s World Cup Run

During India's chase, Australia's fielders dropped important catches of Jemimah Rodrigues, including by Alyssa Healy when she was on 95. Of course, she went on to bat even deeper into the innings and guided India to victory. The dropped chances proved costly in the semifinal situation.

See Also: [WATCH] Emotional Harmanpreet Kaur breaks in joyful tears during Women's World Cup 2025 semifinal

2. The Game-Changing Indian Partnership That Rewrote Women’s World Cup History

Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur built a record 167-run pairing, which changed the game for India. They were calm and rotated the strike smartly to disrupt the Australian bowlers. When Kaur eventually got out, India were in complete control of the chase.

3. Poor Bowling Discipline and Costly Extras That Gifted India a Record-Breaking Chase

Australia has conceded 25 additional runs, which allowed India to keep their scoring rate without taking any chances. Their bowlers could not sustain that pressure, bowling wides or no-balls at important junctures. These errors made the historic chase much easier for India to complete.

FAQ's

1. How did India Women defeat Australia Women in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 semi-final?

India Women defeated Australia Women by five wickets in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 semi-final at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. They successfully chased a massive 339-run target, led by Jemimah Rodrigues’ unbeaten 127 and a strong 167-run partnership with captain Harmanpreet Kaur.

2. What was the turning point in the India vs Australia Women’s World Cup 2025 semi-final?

The turning point came with the record-breaking 167-run partnership between Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur. Their calm approach and intelligent strike rotation completely shifted momentum in India’s favor, setting the stage for a historic run chase.

3. How did dropped catches affect Australia Women’s chances in the semi-final?

Australia Women’s fielding lapses, especially dropped catches off Jemimah Rodrigues, proved costly. Alyssa Healy’s missed chance when Rodrigues was on 95 allowed her to continue batting and guide India to a memorable win.

4. What role did poor bowling discipline play in Australia’s defeat?

Australia’s poor bowling discipline and costly extras were major factors in their loss. They conceded 25 additional runs through wides and no-balls, which helped India maintain their scoring rate without taking unnecessary risks during the chase.

5. Why is India Women’s victory over Australia in the 2025 semi-final considered historic?

India Women’s win is considered historic because it marked the highest-ever successful run chase in ICC Women’s World Cup history. It also ended Australia Women’s dominance in knockout stages and sent India to the final against South Africa Women, showcasing a new era for Indian women’s cricket.