Jemimah Rodrigues joins Harmanpreet Kaur’s league, scores memorable hundred in World Cup semifinal

This was Jemimah Rodrigues' first knockout match in the Women's ODI World Cup.

Jemimah Rodrigues has become just the second Indian batter after Harmanpreet Kaur to score a hundred in a knockout match of the Women’s ODI World Cup. Coincidentally, the opposition back in 2017 and now in 2025 remains the same: Australia. Even the match, the semifinal. The magnitude of that 171-run knock by Harmanpreet can’t be compared, but this effort by Jemimah wasn’t any less.

Jemimah Rodrigues’ memorable hundred

With Harleen Deol getting dropped, the Indian management promoted Jemimah to number three instead of her regular five. And the job couldn’t have been tougher, as she came into bat in the second over itself. The chase of 339 wasn’t going to be difficult, but historic.

Earlier in the month, Australia had chased down 331 against India and created the record for the highest successful chase in Women’s ODI history. And now, India had to break that record to reach the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup final.

With Smriti Mandhana also departing before the end of the powerplay, Jemimah took onus. She took the onus, striking at a good nick as captain Harmanpreet settled. She excelled by rotating the strike and then hitting the timely boundary. As the game progressed, India came into the game.

Together, Harmanpreet and Jemimah scored 167 runs from 156 balls. The India vs Australia semifinal was balanced now. Luck also favoured India and Jemimah. She was dropped on 82 by Alyssa Healy, and then the review went her way when she was on 85. Alana King was bowling superbly, but she somehow managed to come out unscathed.

Australia managed to tie Jemimah down a bit after Harmanpreet’s dismissal. She was 85 (95) when the Indian skipper departed in the 36th over and added just 10 runs in the next 15 balls. It didn’t look like a case of nervous 90s, but as the run rate was rising, she had to get going.

Finally, in the 42nd over, Jemimah scored her maiden Women’s ODI World Cup hundred and just the third of her career. But the job wasn’t done yet. And that’s why she didn’t celebrate after reaching the triple-digit score. She was given another reprieve at 106 and now had to ensure that India crossed the line.