Jemimah Rodrigues struck a majestic unbeaten 127 off 134 balls (14x4), while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur blasted 89 off 88, as India chased down 339 with five wickets and nine balls to spare to dethrone the defending champions at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Wasan, who watched the match closely, said the contest reignited his love for cricket. \u201cAfter watching so much cricket, you get bored sometimes \u2014 but this match rekindled the romance of the game. Hats off to the girls,\u201d he told IANS.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India\u2019s chase got off to a poor start with Shafali Verma falling for 10 off five balls, while Smriti Mandhana made 24 before being dismissed by Kim Garth (2-29). But Rodrigues and Harmanpreet rebuilt the innings with a 167-run partnership for the second wicket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jemimah reached her fifty off 57 balls and her maiden World Cup century off 115, while Harmanpreet\u2019s 88-ball 89 featured eight fours and two sixes before she fell to Ashleigh Gardner off Annabel Sutherland.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh provided handy contributions down the order as India reached 341\/5 in 48.3 overs to overhaul Australia\u2019s 338 all out. Ghosh\u2019s 26 off 16 balls, including two sixes and two fours, proved crucial as India crossed the line.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He admitted that he initially feared a repeat of past heartbreaks. \u201cAt one stage, they were two down for 220 in 33 overs. I thought they\u2019d get 400. But the way Renuka and Shree Charani bowled was superb \u2014 they turned 400 into 338,\u201d Wasan said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He was particularly effusive in his praise for Jemimah Rodrigues, comparing her knock to Kapil Dev\u2019s legendary 175 not out against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup. \u201cIn terms of impact, Jemimah\u2019s innings was equal to Kapil Dev\u2019s 175. She batted beautifully under pressure after Harmanpreet\u2019s wicket, especially in that partnership with Deepti,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He admitted that he initially feared a repeat of past heartbreaks. \u201cAt one stage, they were two down for 220 in 33 overs. I thought they\u2019d get 400. But the way Renuka and Shree Charani bowled was superb \u2014 they turned 400 into 338,\u201d Wasan said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He added that South Africa could not be taken lightly. \u201cThey\u2019re trying to shed the \u2018chokers\u2019 tag and have beaten England, so you can\u2019t take them lightly. For now, let\u2019s keep the celebrations cool \u2014 once we win the final, the world is ours,\u201d Wasan concluded.<\/p>\r\n\r\n