MUMBAI, India, Oct 31, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - India's stunning World Cup semi-final 
win over Australia was described Friday as the greatest day in the history of 
women's cricket in the country, with Jemimah Rodrigues hailed for her 
"innings of a lifetime".

Batter Rodrigues hit an unbeaten 127 as the hosts chased down a record 339 in 
Mumbai on Thursday to oust reigning seven-time champions Australia in Mumbai.

India face South Africa in the final at the same venue on Sunday as both 
teams attempt to win the one-day tournament for the first time in its 52-year 
history.

Amanjot Kaur hit the winning boundary to take India into their third final of 
an ODI World Cup, triggering emotional scenes.

The 25-year-old Rodrigues sank to her knees in tears while her teammates 
rushed to celebrate the sensational upset.

"This is the greatest day in the history of Indian women's cricket," veteran 
commentator Harsha Bhogle said on X.

Virat Kohli, the star batsman from the men's team, called Rodrigues's display 
the "standout performance".

"A true display of resilience, belief and passion," he said on social media.

Former men's captain Sunil Gavaskar called the victory "exhilarating" and 
"absolutely thrilling", especially because they were clear underdogs.

"They'd lost to three big guns in the tournament and then to come back the 
way they have just tells you the determination of this team," the batting 
great said on TV channel India Today.

"So clearly you can say that the Indian women's team has definitely come of 
age."

India lost three successive matches in the league phase before clinching the 
last semi-final spot, in contrast to Australia's unbeaten run into the final 
four.

India were in trouble at 59-2 in reply to Australia's massive 338 when 
Rodrigues turned the game on its head in a 167-run third-wicket partnership 
with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who hit 89.

Rodrigues, a middle-order batter who had a modest start in the tournament and 
was dropped in the league game against England, was promoted to number three 
and delivered when it mattered.

"When you are left and then come back into the team the pressure is way too 
high... today's innings was a marvellous innings," said Gavaskar.

That was echoed by former national cricketer Mohammad Kaif, who called it an 
"innings of a lifetime".

"Fantastic to watch free-flowing cricket by Jemimah Rodrigues," he said on X.

"In and out from the team but she never stopped believing."

India have twice been runners-up, in 2005 and 2017.

In 2017 they beat Australia in the semi-finals before losing to England.