India are chasing a record total to stun champions Australia and reach the World Cup final

India completed a dramatic record-breaking run to knock reigning champions Australia out of the World Cup, led by a superb century from Jemimah Rodrigues.

Rodrigues was dropped three times by Australia, on 50, 83 and 106, eventually finishing unbeaten on 127 when the seven-time world champion uncharacteristically cracked under the pressure of defending 338. Running back from middle Tahlia McGrath had leaked Rodrigues’ catch in the 44th over, while Annabel Sutherland sent two wide on a wayward 48th, over which cost Australia 15 runs. It was left to Amanjot Kaur to reap the rewards of Rodrigues’ endurance, hitting the winning runs from Sophie Molineux’s 49th over with nine balls to spare.

The historic run chase – the highest ever achieved in women’s ODI cricket – was in the balance after Harmanpreet Kaur miscued a pull to midwicket in the 36th over, out for a run-a-ball 89 with 105 runs still needed.

Deepti Sharma was then run out after attempting a quick single, while Richa Ghosh hit two sixes but sent a catch to short third with the score reading 26 off 16.

However, Rodrigues remained unbeaten until the end, as India waltzed into the home final of the World Cup with a five-wicket win, delighting the 35,000-strong Mumbai crowd. They play South Africa on the same field on Sunday.

India were a clear underdog going into this match, having limped through the group stages with losses to the same opponents, as well as South Africa and England. That status was only underlined when Phoebe Litchfield scored a 77-ball century – the fastest ever in a World Cup knockout match – and India lost both openers in the powerplay, in dismissals that epitomized the two teams’ differing success in using DRS this World Cup.

Shafali Verma, who was catapulted into the XI three days ago after being cleared as an injury replacement, lasted five balls before being knocked straight in front by Kim Garth but still opted to burn through a review.

Australia then successfully overturned a no-holds-barred decision against Smriti Mandhana, after replays showed the smallest spikes on UltraEdge. Smriti shook her head in disbelief before walking away to 24.

Earlier, Australia’s total of 338 centered around a maiden World Cup hundred from 22-year-old Litchfield, a quiet half-century from Ellyse Perry, and a much louder one from Ash Gardner.

Litchfield’s stroke was based on her trademark reverse sweep, although there was a nervous moment when she attempted the shot on 62 and was given out on the court after the ball had ended up in the hands of the back square leg. Litchfield, however, overturned the call and was granted a reprieve when replays showed it had been a bunt.

That allowed her to progress to her century eight overs later – but she was bowled trying to beat Amanjot Kaur in the 28th over, and India then fought back in the middle overs to take four Australian wickets for 45 runs. Perry, who looked set to join Litchfield at the Centurion Club after scoring her first half-century of the tournament, joined in the collapse, bowled by a Radha Yadav ball that slid onto her stumps.

Gardner played four sixes and brought up a 41-ball fifty to ensure Australia added 38 runs from the last four overs – but a muddle with Garth saw her bow out in the 49th, while Deepti Sharma took two wickets with successive deliveries in the 50th to see Australia bowl out the penultimate ball of the innings: a limp finish that ultimately came back to haunt them.