Women’s World Cup: India Celebrate Historic Semifinal Triumph — It’s Diwali All Over Again!

New Delhi — Fireworks illuminated the night sky, car horns echoed through the streets, and chants of “India! India!” filled the air as the nation celebrated a night to remember. The Indian women’s cricket team created history in Navi Mumbai, storming into the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup final with a stunning five-wicket victory over Australia.

Australia’s imposing total of 338 had seemed beyond reach — until Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur produced a breathtaking chase, turning the improbable into the unforgettable.

Across the country, the celebrations were electric — from Delhi to Mumbai to Bengaluru, fans danced, waved the tricolour, and set off fireworks as if it were Diwali again. Social media, too, erupted with pride and excitement, with “Women in Blue” trending within minutes of India’s triumph.

“This isn’t just a win — it’s history. Jemimah played like a queen tonight,” said one fan watching from a Navi Mumbai café.

“We’ve seen Virat and Rohit do it for years, but tonight belonged to our girls. They made us cry with pride,” added a college student in Delhi.

“The way Harman and Jemimah chased that total — it was fearless cricket. It’s truly Diwali again,” cheered fans outside the DY Patil Stadium.

Jemimah Rodrigues played the innings of her life — an unbeaten 127 off 134 balls with 14 boundaries — her maiden World Cup century and arguably the most defining knock of her career. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was the perfect partner in crime, smashing 89 off 88 balls. Together, they shared a record-breaking 167-run stand that lifted India from early trouble to a historic win.

Chasing 339, India wobbled early. Shafali Verma, drafted in as a late replacement for the injured Pratika Rawal, fell for 10. Smriti Mandhana followed soon after for 24, edging behind off Kim Garth, whose fiery opening spell left India at 47/2. Then came the Rodrigues–Harmanpreet rescue act.

Jemimah’s fifty came off 57 balls, her innings marked by graceful cuts, crisp drives, and clever running. A delicate scoop off Garth, sharp boundaries off Sutherland and Molineux, and a precise late cut through point displayed her full range. She survived a dropped chance by Alyssa Healy off Alana King — and never looked back.

Harmanpreet brought her trademark aggression, reaching her half-century in 65 balls and then accelerating with boundaries and two towering sixes. By the 30th over, India were 189/2 — firmly in control of the chase.

Her 88-ball 89 ended with a mistimed pull to Ashleigh Gardner off Sutherland, but Jemimah remained composed, guiding India home. Her century, completed off 115 balls, was not just a personal milestone — it was a statement of redemption after a lean patch earlier in the tournament.

Richa Ghosh’s quickfire 26 off 16 and Jemimah’s final flourish took India past the target in 48.3 overs, finishing at 341/5 — their highest-ever successful chase in Women’s ODIs, and the biggest in Women’s World Cup knockout history.

Australia’s 338, powered by Phoebe Litchfield’s 119, Ellyse Perry’s 77, and Gardner’s 63 off 45, proved insufficient against a resurgent India that rose when it mattered most. The win snapped Australia’s 15-match unbeaten World Cup streak and booked India’s spot in the final against South Africa.

As the celebrations continued into the night, one fan summed up the nation’s emotion perfectly:

“It’s not just a win — it’s a festival. These women didn’t just play cricket tonight; they lit up India.”

With inputs from IANS