Jemimah stood still for a moment, her eyes glistening under the floodlights. This was more than just a match-winning hundred - it was a moment of deliverance.
A night before the historic final against South Africa, the Indian women's team captain received a special phone call and it was none other than the history maker himself.
South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt scored a hundred for the ages before the seasoned Marizanne Kapp made the ball talk in good batting conditions to script a 125-run victory over England and enter their maiden Women's ODI Cup final, in Guwahati, on Wednesday.
From hitting the winning runs against Australia in the semifinal to taking the catch of in-form South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt in the title clash, Amanjot played her part in India's winning campaign.
On paper, Pakistan are no match for South Africa even though Fatima Sana's team did win an ODI in the bilateral series that served as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup.
Veteran allrounder Marizanne Kapp excelled with both bat and ball, while skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus also smashed fine half-centuries as South Africa defeated Pakistan by 150 runs (DLS Method) in a rain-affected Women's World Cup match to go top of the table, in Colombo, on Tuesday.
It's good, pressure is not only around cricket but also for World Cup final tickets: Harmanpreet
The Harmanpreet Kaur-led India will be playing an ODI World Cup final for the third time, having finished runners-up in 2005 and 2017 to Australia and England, respectively. This will be South Africa's maiden appearance in the final.
The clash was a record-breaking one. Right from individual pieces of glory to team milestones, India opener Smriti Mandhana's records to Australia once again re-writing history books to justify the seven titles in their trophy cabinet, this match had it all.
Two Australian women cricketers, taking part in the ICC women's World Cup, were allegedly stalked, and one of them molested, by a motorcycle-borne man in Madhya Pradesh's Indore, police said on Saturday.
When there was constant criticism, Harman and Smriti kept the team together: Neetu David
South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt said that once their Women's World Cup contest against Sri Lanka was reduced to 20 overs a side, she treated it like a T20 game and came out to bat with the same mindset, in Colombo, on Friday.
Skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt led from the front with a sparkling hundred as England beat India by 153 runs in their warm-up game ahead of the ICC Women's World Cup, in Bengaluru, on Thursday.
Wolvaardt, Tazmin fire South Africa to 10-wicket win over Sri Lanka in truncated game
Having played the most defining knock of her career to ensure South Africa's maiden entry into Women's ODI World Cup final, skipper Laura Wolvaardt found the feeling to be surreal.
England, Pakistan split points after rain washes out another Women's World Cup match.
Aaron Finch delivered a verdict in favour of his side as they prepare to take on a Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli-powered India during a three-match ODI series at home
Pakistan qualified for the tournament in April this year.
Disappointing, wanted to go out on a high: Emotional Devine bids farewell to game
In the league stage, South Africa suffered two heavy defeats and their batting came apart against spin in both games.
For India, the battle is no longer about proving skill or form, but about crossing the elusive final hurdle that has so often tripped them -- including in this very tournament.
With just days to go before the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 begins, the spotlight is not only on the players but also on the voice that will set the tone - Shreya Ghoshal's stirring anthem, Bring It Home.
No illusions that India are favourites but we will look to control what we can: Sophie Devine
For spin great Neetu David it was a culmination of a lifelong dream -- to see the India women's team finally end their wait for a World title.
All-rounder Amanjot Kaur did handle pace duties with Gaud, but India missed another proper bowling option in their line-up, be it pacers Renuka Thakur and Arundhati Reddy or spinner Radha Yadav.
The little girl with a plastic bat in a small town must feel that the world is open to her, just as I felt after watching a triumphant Team India in 1983, says Sachin Tendulkar.
Healy's injury forces Australia rethink ahead of Women's World Cup clash against England
The Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian side landed in the evening after completing their warm-up games in Bengaluru.
'Muneeba's run-out issue has already been settled, I believe. I don't want to talk much about it now.'
Under pressure to revive their campaign after back-to-back defeats, India will have to consider adding a sixth bowler to bring more balance to their attack when they face England in a crucial Women's ODI World Cup match, in Indore, on Sunday.
If the men of 1983 gave India a reason to dream, the women of 2025 could give it something rarer -- the courage to live that dream in full daylight, under an open sky that finally belongs to them, points out Prem Panicker.
'I'm really pleased. Like I've had pretty rubbish year, not going to lie before this World Cup.'
Scindia's immediate task will be overseeing preparations for the ICC Women's World Cup beginning on September 30. Indore is one of the host cities.
'As a commentator, we are meant to focus on the sport, teams, and players, highlighting inspiring stories of grit and perseverance.' 'There is no malice in my heart or any intention to hurt sentiments.'
On Sunday, Goud repaid the faith shown in her with a telling spell of 3 for 20, that included three maidens, to derail Pakistan's chase of 247.
'We are going to play in front of a huge crowd in India, and it's going to be a memorable campaign and we are ready for it.'
Backed by the pace of Annabel Sutherland and spin of Sophie Molineux, who has shaped up well for the slow sub-continent wickets, Australia will take the match against Pakistan to further streamline their strategy before taking on tougher teams like England, India and South Africa in the competition.
Off-spinner Deepti bowled the 48th over, and De Klerk managed to find two boundaries off her before applying finishing touches to the chase, smashing pacer Amanjot Kaur for two sixes in the 49th over.
Though the England-South Africa game yielded less than 150 runs thanks to the brilliant display by the English bowlers, the surface at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium is regarded as batting-friendly and has often produced high-scoring contests.
'When I first entered the team, Mithali di (Mithali Raj) and Jhulan di (Jhulan Goswami) were our seniors, and to now see the transition with Harman di and Smriti leading together is really special. They've created an environment where everyone wants to give their all for the team.'
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