India Creates History, Enters Women's ODI World Cup Final
The Indian women's cricket team has etched its name in the record books, securing a sensational five-wicket victory over seven-time champions Australia in the semi-final of the ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025. The historic match, held at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Thursday night, saw India successfully chase down a formidable target of 339 runs, marking the highest successful run chase of all time in women's ODIs and in Women's World Cup knockout history.
Star batter Jemimah Rodrigues was the architect of this monumental win, playing an innings of monumental proportions with an unbeaten 127 runs off 134 balls. Her innings, which included 14 boundaries, steered India through a challenging chase after an early setback. Rodrigues was ably supported by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who contributed a powerful 89 runs off 88 balls. The duo forged an epic 167-run stand for the third wicket, turning the tide decisively in India's favor.
Earlier, Australia had posted a commanding total of 338 runs, with Phoebe Litchfield scoring 119 and Ellyse Perry adding 77. However, India's chase never lost momentum, with Deepti Sharma's quick 24 and Amanjot Kaur's composed finish sealing the victory with nine balls to spare. Former India opener Virender Sehwag lauded the team's fearless performance, stating they 'dho daala' (washed away) all criticism with their spectacular win. India will now face South Africa in the summit clash on Sunday, with both teams vying for their first-ever World Cup title.
Indian Boxers Shine at Asian Youth Games; Kiran George Advances in Badminton
In other significant sports developments, six Indian boxers have showcased their prowess by reaching the finals of the Asian Youth Games 2025 in Manama, Bahrain. This strong performance highlights India's growing talent in the sport at the youth level. Additionally, India's Anant Deshmukh secured a bronze medal after a strong fight in the men's semifinal bout.
On the badminton front, Indian shuttler Kiran George stunned world No. 13 Toma Junior Popov of France to enter the men's singles quarterfinals of the Hylo Open Super 500 tournament in Saarbrucken, Germany.
FIDE World Cup 2025 Kicks Off in India
The prestigious FIDE World Cup 2025 is set to commence in India, marking its return to the country after a gap of 23 years. A strong Indian contingent, led by World Champion Grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju and the entire Olympiad-winning squad, is poised for glory. Grandmasters Gukesh Dommaraju, Arjun Erigaisi, and R Praggnanandhaa are among the top three seeds, with a significant number of Indian players qualifying for the 206-strong field. FIDE Women's World Cup champion Divya Deshmukh will also be participating as a wild card entry.