Australia unleashed a furious assault after an early rain break in the Women’s World Cup semi-final against India in Navi Mumbai, recovering swiftly from the loss of skipper Alyssa Healy. Phoebe Litchfield and Ellyse Perry led the charge, dominating the Indian attack on a pitch tailor-made for batting. The young opener, Litchfield, was particularly ruthless as she smashed three sixes and seventeen fours on her way to the fastest century ever recorded in a World Cup knockout match — reaching her ton in just 77 balls. As the DY Patil crowd sat in stunned silence, the commentary box added to the spectacle with an uncanny prediction that soon turned prophetic.
After reaching her milestone, Litchfield continued her onslaught when Deepti Sharma came into the attack in the 27th over. On just the second delivery, she charged down the track and lofted the veteran spinner over long-on for a thumping six that left the bowler visibly frustrated. Her aggressive intent drew immediate admiration from commentators Ian Bishop and Dinesh Karthik, who were quick to highlight her fearlessness and flair.
Karthik, analyzing India’s brief success in containing runs during the previous few overs, remarked that Litchfield’s early boundary was a warning sign for the Indian camp. He predicted that the left-hander might soon bring out an audacious reverse sweep or even a switch-hit, given her reputation for unorthodox shot-making. His observation felt almost like a setup for what was to come.
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On the very next delivery, Litchfield did exactly what DK had foreseen. With remarkable anticipation, she turned around mid-stance, switched her grip, and executed a flawless switch-hit. The timing was exquisite, the placement perfect — sending the ball sailing over extra cover for yet another massive six.
The breathtaking stroke drew gasps from the crowd and applause from even the opposition’s supporters, perfectly encapsulating the dominance of Australia’s innings. Dinesh Karthik’s “commentator’s blessing” had come true in dramatic fashion, as Phoebe Litchfield’s brilliance pushed India deeper into despair and Australia one step closer to the final.