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New Delhi: India's hopes of reaching the Women's World Cup 2025 final are hanging by a thread after a record-breaking batting performance by Australia in the second semifinal at Navi Mumbai on Thursday. Batting first, the seven-time champions posted 338 - the biggest total in a World Cup knockout game - to effectively put one foot in the final.
Phoebe Litchfield's stunning century and contrasting fifties by Elyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner helped Australia eclipse the 319-run total posted by South Africa in the first semifinal against England on Wednesday.
India need to pull off something that has never been achieved in a World Cup game. The record for the highest-ever run chase in World Cup history belongs to Australia, who overhauled the 331-run target set by India a few weeks ago in the group stage.
After Alysa Healy's early wicket, Litchfield and Perry combined for a mammoth second-wicket partnership of 155 runs. Litchfield completed her century in the 24th over, crossing the milestone in 77 balls and became the youngest ever centurion in a World Cup match.
India made a good comeback in the middle overs, but Australia's incredible batting depth was on full display at the DY Patil Stadium.
From 265 for 6 in the 42nd over, Australia's score was catapulted close to 350 courtesy of a blazing knock by Garnder. The seasoned all-rounder displayed her batting prowess with a sensational knock of 63 off 45 balls and ruined India's good effort in the middle overs.
For India, Shree Charni and Deepti Sharma picked up two wickets each.
Litchfield's scintillating 119 off 93 balls was the standout performance for Australia, who were aided by the experience of Perry (77 off 88 balls) and the ruthlessness of Gardner (63 off 45 balls). Overall, it was a shoddy bowling and fielding effort from India.
A lot will depend on India's openers, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Varma, who must give India a great platform to even get close to the record-breaking target.
