Jemimah special helps ace record chase

A stunning knock of 127 off 134 balls from Jemimah took India home by five wickets to set up Sunday's final vs South Africa

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It needed a record chase—not just in any match but in a World Cup semifinal at home. And not just against any team but against the most decorated team in the history of cricket.

This was potentially the stuff of nightmares for India. But in a stunning, riveting and barely believable performance, Harmnapreet Kaur's team kept the dream alive, acing a chase of 339 against Australia with Jemimah Rodrigues and skipper Harmanpreet producing the knocks of their lives to power India into the final of the ICC ODI Women’s World Cup.

Playing in front of her home crowd, Rodrigues was the unlikely star with an unbeaten 127 off 134 balls with 14 fours, while Harmanpreet produced a vintage knock of 89 (88 balls, 10 fours, 2 sixes) to knock out the defending champions and set a title clash with South Africa on Sunday. The duo shared a match-turning third wicket partnership of 167 runs (156 balls) to set up India’s five-wicket win.

It was a match-awaited clash between the defending champions and the home favourites and the crowd had packed the DY Patil Stadium in anticipation of a blockbuster semifinal. The game lived up to the billing and turned out to be a thriller that showcased the women’s game to a global audience.