Australia captain Alyssa Healy is still not over her team's heartbreaking loss to India in the Women's ODI World Cup semifinal. Australia side entered the knockout stages of the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 as the tournament's most dominant team, having cruised through the group phase as the only unbeaten side. However, their formidable campaign came to a screeching halt when they were stunned by the hosts India in the action-packed semifinal clash.
Despite setting a challenging target, guided by a century from Phoebe Litchfield that led Australia to a daunting total of 338 runs, the defending champions could not defend it. India successfully chased the total with five wickets in hand, powered by a courageous 127 from Jemimah Rodrigues and a solid 89-run innings from captain Harmanpreet Kaur.
Alyssa Healy reflects on the heartbreaking loss against India
Just one week after the unexpected elimination from the Women's World Cup 2025, Healy publicly addressed the heartbreaking loss. Speaking candidly on the Willow Talk Cricket podcast, Healy acknowledged that while she was immensely proud of her team's overall campaign and dominant group stage performance, she could not shake off the profound disappointment and pain of falling short in the do-or-die knockout game against the hosts.
“I won’t lie, I’ve been better. We played some really incredible cricket over seven weeks, but just couldn’t get past that Indian hurdle. It’s disappointing, but I’m excited about what this team can do in the next cycle," Healy said.
The 35-year-old openly admitted that, despite the team posting a massive total of 338 runs, their batting effort ultimately fell short of what was required in the semi-final. Healy noted that even a highlight performance, Phoebe Litchfield notching up her maiden World Cup century, was insufficient to secure a win against the host team.
“I actually thought we were a bit under-par. When Pez (Ellyse Perry) and Phoebe were batting, we were looking at 350-plus. If we had pushed up there, it might have made a difference," she added.
The veteran wicketkeeper-batter also admitted that the semifinal defeat was particularly painful because it interrupted a run of exceptionally strong performances that her team had delivered throughout the entire World Cup. She also reflected on the chaotic circumstances of her own dismissal, noting that the loss was compounded by the timing of her wicket during a period affected by lighting issues on the field.
"Everyone was contributing, everyone was playing out of their skin, and we just had half an off night in a knockout game. It’s sad that we don’t have a trophy to show for it. Two dropped catches off Jemimah Rodrigues — who went on to remain unbeaten on 127 — proved costly for Australia," she further stated.
"There was a lot happening around the sightscreen and lights. It was frustrating. If I had waited a minute longer, we’d have gone off the field and come back again".
It’ll haunt me for a little while: Healy
Despite the heartbreak, Healy maintained sportsmanship by lauding India’s composure during the high-stakes match.
“India got themselves over the line, and it’s great for women’s cricket. It’ll haunt me for a little while, but that’s okay," Healy signed off.