Bat, will and wonder: Jemimah and Harmanpreet steer India past Australia into World Cup final

India chase down a record 339 to beat seven-time champions Australia hy five wickets

- S KANNAN

Hail the new rock star of Indian cricket — Jemimah Rodrigues. At the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Thursday night, the 25-year-old Mumbaikar showed style and swagger as she smashed the Aussie attack for an individual score of 127, propelling India into the ICC Women’s World Cup (ODI final.

A five-wicket win for the hosts was truly against all odds, considering the strength of the Australian side. Call it will, call it skill — the way Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur and the bundle of energy that is Jemimah planned the great chase left the audience with jaws agape. The odds were stacked against India, as the Aussies are dangerous and fierce fighters. Yet what stood out was the resolve of the Indian women — conquering pressure and proving they have come of age on the big stage.

Mumbai hosted two big shows tonight: one, a concert by Enrique Iglesias, and the other, a cricket spectacle. For India to come out firing after Australia posted 338 runs in 50 overs was extraordinary. For those who believed the total was massive and unchaseable, it took self-belief, skill, and the courage to take the fight deep.

Hats off to Harmanpreet Kaur, the skipper, who led from the front.