Ahead of India’s Women’s World Cup semi-final clash against Australia, head coach Amol Muzumdar decided to keep things simple. In a busy dressing room in Navi Mumbai, he reached for a marker and wrote a line that quietly set the tone for one of India’s most iconic nights of cricket.
“You need one run more than they do.
A visual of this message on the board was later seen in a video shared by the BCCI Women’s official X-clique on Friday 31 October. The words were short and to the point, but their impact was undeniable. Muzumdar’s calm, clear-eyed approach reminded the team that cricket is ultimately a game of faith, poise and courage.
What followed was a performance that will be remembered for generations. On Thursday night, the Women in Blue turned a high-pressure semi-final into a statement of intent as they defeated a powerful Australian side to storm into the World Cup final.
on the heart of victory was Jemimah Rodrigues, which produced an innings that will forever be etched in Indian sporting memory. Her unbeaten 126 was a display of control, elegance and fierce determination. Every run was earned, every strike intentional as she anchored India’s chase with maturity beyond her years. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur played a steady hand alongside her and built a partnership that symbolized trust and faith.
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For a team that often teetered on the brink of glory, this triumph was both liberation and redemption. The scenes after the final run told the story better than words could. Jemimah broke down in tears, she collapsed in the stands into her parents’ arms, overcome by the emotion of the moment. Harmanpreet was also visibly moved, aware of the scale of what her team had achieved.
India’s stunning win over Australia was more than just a semi-final result. It was a culmination of faith, resilience and quiet confidence – a journey that started with a few simple words on a chalkboard and ended with a team that truly believed they could make history.
– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
31 October 2025
