NEW DELHI: India's campaign at the ICC Women's World Cup has been a roller-coaster ride - starting with two convincing wins before slipping to three successive defeats that even put their semifinal hopes in jeopardy.
However, the team rose to the occasion when it mattered most, defeating New Zealand to seal a spot in the last four. What followed was history in the making, as India pulled off the highest successful chase in Women's ODI history, overhauling Australia's 339-run target with nine balls to spare to storm into the World Cup final.
ICC Women's World Cup: Officials revealed for India vs South Africa final
Take a look at India's road to the final, as Harmanpreet Kaur and her team stand on the brink of history - chasing their first-ever Women's ODI World Cup title when they face South Africa in Sunday's summit clash.
Defeated Sri Lanka by 59 runs (DLS method)
India began their World Cup campaign on a dominant note, registering a comprehensive victory over Sri Lanka in the tournament opener. Half-centuries from Deepti Sharma and Amanjot Kaur powered India to a competitive total of 269/8, with Harleen Deol and Pratika Rawal providing solid starts at the top of the order.
Sri Lanka made a promising start in their chase, reaching 82/1, but India's bowlers struck at regular intervals to wrest back control. Deepti Sharma led the attack with figures of 3/54, as the hosts were dismissed for 211 in 45.4 overs. It was a complete team performance to kick off India's campaign in style.
Defeated Pakistan by 88 runs
India continued their winning momentum with a composed all-round display to register their second straight victory, extending their dominance over arch-rivals Pakistan. Batting first, India posted a competitive 247, with Harleen Deol top-scoring with 46 and several others contributing valuable cameos. Despite a few hiccups in the middle overs, a late surge pushed the total to a strong finish.
Pakistan's chase got off to a shaky start as they slumped to 26/3 before Sidra Amin (81) and Natalia Pervaiz (33) stitched together a stabilizing partnership. However, once that stand was broken, India's bowlers tightened their grip on the game. Kranti Gaud (3/20) and Deepti Sharma (3/45) spearheaded the attack, while Sneh Rana chipped in with 2/38 to bowl Pakistan out well short of the target.
Lost to South Africa by three wickets
India's unbeaten run came to an end in a thrilling contest against South Africa, who edged past them in the final overs. Richa Ghosh anchored the Indian innings with a superb 94, while Sneh Rana's late cameo of 33 lifted the team to a fighting total of over 250.
The bowlers gave India a strong start, reducing South Africa to 81/5 and putting them firmly in control. However, Laura Wolvaardt and Chloe Tryon staged a remarkable recovery with a crucial partnership that swung the momentum back in South Africa’s favour. Though both batters fell before the finish, Nadine de Klerk kept her composure to guide her side to victory with seven balls remaining.
Lost to Australia by three wickets
India went down fighting in a high-scoring thriller, despite putting up an imposing total of 330. Openers Smriti Mandhana (80) and Pratika Rawal (75) laid a brilliant foundation with a 150-run partnership, while quick-fire contributions from the middle order powered India to a commanding score.
However, Australia responded with a stunning run chase, anchored by Alyssa Healy's breathtaking 142 off just 107 balls. Despite India striking back with a few late wickets, the visitors held their nerve to seal a memorable win in the closing stages.
Lost to England by four runs
A third straight close defeat left India's semi-final hopes hanging by a thread. England posted 288/8, thanks to Heather Knight's superb 109 which was her first ton of the tournament while Deepti Sharma impressed with 4/51.
In the chase, India looked on course with Smriti Mandhana (88), Harmanpreet Kaur (70) and Deepti (50) all contributing. But a late collapse from 234/3 to 262/6 stalled their momentum. India needed 22 off the last two overs but fell just short as England held on to remain unbeaten.
Defeated New Zealand by 53 runs (DLS method)
Facing a must-win situation, India produced their most commanding batting display of the tournament. In a rain-hit clash, openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal struck their first centuries of the campaign while Jemimah Rodrigues added an unbeaten 76 as India piled up 340/3 in 49 overs.
In reply, New Zealand fought hard through Brooke Halliday (81) and Izzy Gaze (65*), but regular breakthroughs kept India ahead. The bowlers maintained discipline to seal a 53-run win via DLS, confirming India's place in the semi-finals.
No result vs Bangladesh
Rain returned in India's final group-stage match against Bangladesh. Before the weather intervened, India had put themselves in a strong position. They had restricted Bangladesh to 119/9 in 27 overs with Radha Yadav (3/30) leading the way and the rest of the bowling unit chipping in.
Chasing a revised target of 126, India were cruising at 57 without loss in 8.4 overs before rain forced the match to be abandoned. Both teams shared the points in a contest where India were in a strong position to win.
Defeated Australia by five wickets in semi-final
India produced one of the greatest performances in World Cup knockout history to stun Australia and book their place in the final. Australia posted 338 on the back of Phoebe Litchfield's century and fifties from Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner.
In reply, India lost both openers early, slipping to 59/2 before Jemimah Rodrigues (127*) and Harmanpreet Kaur (89) scripted a stunning recovery. Their 150-run partnership put India in control and despite late wickets, Rodrigues stayed until the end to steer India home with a few balls to spare. It was the highest-ever successful chase in a World Cup knockout game.
