Rodrigues-powered India stun Australia to reach World Cup final

MUMBAI :India ended Australia's title defence and booked their place in Sunday's women's World Cup final against South Africa after Jemimah Rodrigues smashed an unbeaten 127 to secure a sensational five-wicket victory in the second semi-final on Thursday.

Opting to bat, Australia racked up 338 all out with opener Phoebe Litchfield (119) providing them a flying start and Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner chipping in with fifties at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

When the teams returned, Rodrigues produced a majestic knock that included 14 fours to help India pull off the biggest successful chase in women's ODI history with nine balls to spare. The outcome means a new ODI world champion side will emerge on Sunday.

"It just feels like a dream and it's not sunk in yet," player-of-the-match Rodrigues, who was in tears after their victory, said after anchoring India's nervy chase.

Seven-time champions Australia had accomplished a record chase in a 661-run humdinger against India in the league phase of the tournament and they racked up another big total against the same opponents after electing to bat in the rematch.

Australia captain Alyssa Healy got an early reprieve when India counterpart Harmanpreet Kaur spilled a catch at mid-off but the batter could not capitalise on it and dragged the ball onto her stumps to depart for five.

Litchfield raced to a 77-ball century during a 155-run stand with Perry that took Australia to 159-1 at the halfway stage of their innings.

Litchfield was on 102 when India wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh spilled a catch and the batter hit spinner Deepti Sharma for back-to-back sixes to rub salt in India's wound.

Her 93-ball knock, which included three sixes and 17 fours, came to an end when she attempted a