Star India batter Virat Kohli led tributes on Thursday after the Indian women’s cricket team pulled off a record-breaking five-wicket win over Australia in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 semifinal in Navi Mumbai.
The chase of 339 was the highest ever in women’s ODIs and the largest in a 50-over World Cup knockout across men’s and women’s cricket. Jemimah Rodrigues struck an unbeaten 127 while captain Harmanpreet Kaur added 89 in a 167-run stand that anchored the run chase.
Kohli, reacting on X, described the result as a “true display of resilience, belief, and passion”. “What a victory by our team over a mighty opponent like Australia. A great chase by the girls and a standout performance by Jemimah in a big game,” he wrote.
India men’s ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill called the win “absolute grit” and lauded the team’s effort in reaching the final. “What a win! An innings to remember,” he wrote on X.
Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah also praised the side, sharing a team photo on Instagram with the caption: “Simply outstanding. Congratulations.”
Earlier, Australia posted 338, powered by Phoebe Litchfield’s 119 and Ellyse Perry’s 77. Deepti Sharma and Shree Charani picked two wickets each. In response, India overcame early setbacks with Jemimah and Harmanpreet’s partnership, and cameos from Richa Ghosh (26) and Amanjot Kaur (15*), sealing victory with nine balls to spare.
India will face South Africa in the final on Sunday, having previously finished runners-up in 2005 and 2017.
