\u201cFirstly, I want to thank Jesus. I couldn\u2019t have carried it alone,\u201d said Rodrigues, who was named Player of the Match for her unbeaten 127. \u201cLast six months have been tough. I was dropped from this World Cup last year, and I have cried every day. I was going through anxiety. I just had to show up every day, and God carried me through.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chasing a daunting 339, India stumbled early after losing openers Shafali Verma (10) and Smriti Mandhana (24) cheaply. But Rodrigues, showing maturity and calm beyond her years, joined forces with captain Harmanpreet Kaur to stage one of the greatest chases in World Cup history.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Their 167-run partnership for the third wicket \u2014 India\u2019s highest in any World Cup knockout match and the highest against Australia in tournament history \u2014 turned the match on its head.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rodrigues revealed that she didn\u2019t even know she would be batting at No. 3 until moments before walking in.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cFive minutes before, I knew I was batting at three,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was not about proving myself; it was about taking India home. Today, it wasn\u2019t about my fifty or my hundred. It was about winning for India.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Her century, laced with 10 fours and full of busy running between the wickets, came off 115 balls \u2014 her maiden World Cup century and third ODI ton overall, all scored in 2025. She had earlier reached three figures against Ireland in January and South Africa in May, but this one, against Australia on the biggest stage, was the crowning moment of her young career.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cFive minutes before, I knew I was batting at three,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was not about proving myself; it was about taking India home. Today, it wasn\u2019t about my fifty or my hundred. It was about winning for India.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Their stand eclipsed the 157-run partnership between Mithali Raj and Punam Raut from 2017, as well as the 137-run effort between Harmanpreet and Deepti Sharma in that same semifinal against Australia eight years ago. It also ended Australia\u2019s dominance of 150-plus stands in World Cup knockouts, all five of which previously belonged to their players.<\/p>\r\n\r\n