\u201cWonderful win! Did you see the match? What a game! This victory was so important for India \u2014 it\u2019s going to take our women\u2019s cricket to the next level. Wishing them all the best for the final!\u201d Saikia told IANS after the match, moments after India chased down a mammoth 339 to dethrone the defending champions and book a place in Sunday\u2019s final against South Africa.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jemimah Rodrigues produced the innings of her life, a majestic unbeaten 127 off 134 balls with 14 fours \u2014 her maiden World Cup hundred and arguably the most significant knock of her career \u2014 as India reached 341 for 5 in 48.3 overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur played a blistering supporting act, hammering 89 off 88 balls, the pair scripting a record 167-run partnership for the third wicket that completely changed the complexion of the game after a shaky start.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chasing 339, India were in early trouble. Shafali Verma, drafted in as a last-minute replacement for the injured Pratika Rawal, lasted just six balls for 10 runs before edging out. Smriti Mandhana, too, fell soon after for a run-a-ball 24. At 47 for 2, India were wobbling, but Rodrigues and Harmanpreet steadied the innings with maturity and flair.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jemimah batted with exquisite timing, combining fluent stroke-play with intelligent running. She reached her fifty off 57 balls with eight fours, playing a series of delightful cuts, drives and sweeps. A scoop off Garth, crisp boundaries off Annabel Sutherland and Sophie Molineux, and a deft late cut through point highlighted her confidence.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Harmanpreet complemented her partner perfectly, reaching her half-century off 65 balls and accelerating with a mix of powerful boundaries and two towering sixes as India matched Australia\u2019s scoring rate through the middle overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Former India captain and BCCI President Sourav Ganguly termed it \"incredible stuff\".<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"Incredible stuff from the girls .. how good they have become in the last 5 years .. one more to go .. just outstanding,\" said Ganguly in a post on X.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal termed it a \"[phenomenal win\" and noted BCCI's continuous support for the women's team.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"Phenomenal win by our girls! Wishing them the very best for the final. This victory is the result of BCCI\u2019s continued support for the promotion of women\u2019s cricket, along with the strong backing of former BCCI Secretary and now ICC Chairman Jay Shah, who believed in the potential of women\u2019s cricket in India,\" IPL chairman Arun Dhumal told IANS.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla congratulated the team on a brilliant victory.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"Phenomenal win by our girls! Wishing them the very best for the final. This victory is the result of BCCI\u2019s continued support for the promotion of women\u2019s cricket, along with the strong backing of former BCCI Secretary and now ICC Chairman Jay Shah, who believed in the potential of women\u2019s cricket in India,\" IPL chairman Arun Dhumal told IANS.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Several other administrators and cricketers, present and former, took to social media to congratulate the historic victory and hail the team for its brilliant performance.<\/p>\r\n\r\n