In a high-scoring thriller at the Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam, the game between India Women and Australia Women took a dramatic turn — not with the bat or ball, but through a flash of brilliance in the field by Jemimah Rodrigues.
After India posted an imposing 330 on the board — courtesy of Smriti Mandhana’s blistering 80 off 66 and Pratika Rawal’s composed 75 off 96 — it was Annabel Sutherland’s superb spell of 5 for 40 that pulled Australia back into the contest. In response, Australia began their chase in commanding fashion, led by Alyssa Healy’s fluent strokeplay, which had India on the defensive.
However, just as the visitors looked set for a comfortable pursuit, Deepti Sharma and Jemimah Rodrigues combined to produce a magic moment. In the 26th over, Deepti tossed one up to Beth Mooney, who charged down the track attempting to loft through extra cover. The ball didn’t quite reach the middle of the bat — and what followed was sheer magic.
Rodrigues, stationed at extra cover, dived full length to her left and completed a stunning two-handed catch inches from the turf. It was an excellent diving effort, one that sent the dangerous Mooney, centurion from the last game, back for 4 off 8 balls and gave India a much-needed breakthrough.
As the Indians surrounded Rodrigues in celebration, the dismissal shifted momentum back towards the hosts. Even as Australia remained in the chase at 205 for 3 after 32 overs, the spark provided by Jemimah’s athletic brilliance reminded everyone why fielding remains one of the biggest assets for any team in their World Cup campaign.
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