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How Jemimah Rodrigues' masterclass erased decades of Aussie heartbreak

Shreyasi

Shubman Gill in 2023 WC final, Jemimah Rodrigues in 2025 WC semifinal [Source: X/@foxcricket, X/@CricCrazyJohns]Shubman Gill in 2023 WC final, Jemimah Rodrigues in 2025 WC semifinal [Source: X/@foxcricket, X/@CricCrazyJohns]

The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 final is scheduled to be played on Sunday between India and South Africa. However, the whole country is still cherishing the once-in-a-lifetime victory over Australia, the seven-time champions in Women’s 50-over World Cup. It was already a heart-stopping chase, and it felt even more special as it came against Australia, India’s nemesis in big games in World Cups for both women and men.

There are instances of victories in limited-over cricket like semifinals of the 2007 and 2024 T20 World Cups and the 2011 quarter-final win at Ahmedabad for men’s team and that Harmanpreet masterclass at Derby during the Semi-final in 2017. But the number of heartbreaks against the Aussies are many more.

In men’s 50-over World Cup Australia enjoy a 9-5 lead over India- this includes three knockout games; two World Cup finals and Semi-final win in 2015 at home. There were also two instances of 1-run loss for the men’s team with the first one coming in 1987 and then the Aussies did an encore in 1992.

From Wanderers to Motera, history repeats itself

The biggest heartbreak came during the World Cup finals albeit. There were multiple instances where Indian fans cherished their team’s performance throughout the tournament just to be beaten by Australia in the final. In fact, combining men’s and women’s teams, India have lost 7 ICC finals across all three formats and 5 of those 7 defeats came against the mighty Aussies.

India lost to Australia in 2003 WC final [Source: X/@sachinyuvifan]India lost to Australia in 2003 WC final [Source: X/@sachinyuvifan]

For the 90s kids, 2003 men’s ODI World Cup was a special tournament with some of the Indian legends in peak of their game but despite enjoying a successful World Cup, they stumbled against Australia first in the group stage and then lost the final by 125 runs. Twenty years later Indians were set for the retaliation under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma. The stage was set with Rahul Dravid, the vice-captain of the 2003 team, donning the coach’s hat in 2023 ODI World Cup. It looked like a perfect set-up. But Australia as always had other plans.

India lost to Australia in 2023 WC final [Source: X/@sreshthx]India lost to Australia in 2023 WC final [Source: X/@sreshthx]

At the Narendra Modi stadium, in front of the home crowd, Pat Cummins led Australia eventually beat the Indian team. It was shocking because India were playing their best team in a World Cup. They came to the final unbeaten after dominating the group stage. Indian cricket fans were aiming to erase the old scare, but they got a fresh one, courtesy Australia.

Story remains same for Indian women’s cricket team

The women had the same misfortune in 2005 and 2020. India’s run to the 2005 ODI World Cup final was shocking as there were hardly any facilities for the women’s game in India. But the Mithali Raj-led side did the unthinkable. They beat New Zealand to reach the final but were thumped by the Aussies led by Belinda Clark at the same ground where Indian men were beaten in 2003 final.

India women's loss to Australia in T20 WC 2020 final [Source: X/@ICC]India women's loss to Australia in T20 WC 2020 final [Source: X/@ICC]

The 2020 T20 World Cup final saw the biggest attendance in any sporting event. Just before the entire globe went into a lockdown due to the pandemic, the Indian girls enjoyed a great run in the tournament. They qualified for their second ICC tournament final after fifteen years. But nothing changed. Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney and Megan Schutt helped Australia win the final by 85 runs and the curse did not break.

The healing has started and how!

After all these heartaches came the special knock by Jemimah Rodrigues in the semifinal. The history was not in favor of the Indians and a chase close to 340 against this Australia team looked out of reach. It kept bringing back the nightmares, but Jemimah was not ready to surrender. Her sheer grit and determination made her stay till the end. She remained unbeaten and took the team to their third ICC World Cup final. Although Harmanpreet and Richa Ghosh provided the support it was the girl from Mumbai who worked as a healer for many.

For the hardcore Indian fans this and the win over the Aussies in 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup semifinal felt like mini revenge of the 2023 final. However, the circle will not complete till India beat Australia in an ICC tournament final. Till then matches will be won, memories will be made, and the millennials will continue to hope for the brightest World Cup final of our life.