India’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup came to a heartbreaking end after Australia chased down a challenging target of 171 with six wickets in hand at a packed Lord’s on June 28.
Despite a sensational late assault from Harmanpreet Kaur that lifted India to one of their finest totals against Australia, the experience and composure of Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner ensured Australia completed the highest successful run chase in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup.
The victory confirmed Australia’s place in the semi-finals as Group A winners, while South Africa progressed alongside them after India’s elimination. Australia will now face West Indies in the first semi-final, while South Africa will take on hosts England for a place in the final.
India entered the contest knowing only a victory would guarantee qualification, and the pressure was evident during the opening exchanges. Openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana opted for a measured approach against Australia’s disciplined bowling attack, carefully negotiating the new ball while ensuring wickets remained intact.
Mandhana looked elegant throughout her stay, punishing anything drifting onto her pads, while Shafali slowly found her rhythm by attacking Ashleigh Gardner. The pair stitched together a valuable opening stand that frustrated Australia, marking only the second occasion since the 2023 T20 World Cup semi-final that Australia failed to claim a wicket during the powerplay of a Women’s T20 International.
As Shafali began accelerating, striking Gardner for another six and boundary, Australian captain Sophie Molineux made the breakthrough immediately after bringing herself into the attack. She clean bowled Shafali for a well-made innings that had laid a solid platform for India.
India suffered another setback soon after when Jemimah Rodrigues and Mandhana were involved in a costly mix-up. Rodrigues hesitated after playing a reverse sweep, leaving Mandhana stranded well short of her crease as she departed for 38 from 37 deliveries.
With India scoring at just over seven runs an over, captain Harmanpreet Kaur once again rose to the occasion against Australia’s formidable bowling attack. Displaying her trademark fearless strokeplay, she shifted gears effortlessly by combining powerful hitting with precise placement.
Australia’s disciplined bowling and clever use of slower deliveries initially restricted India’s acceleration, but Harmanpreet transformed the innings during the final overs. After Jemimah Rodrigues survived two dropped chances, India made the bold tactical decision to retire her out and send in Richa Ghosh in search of quick runs.
The move allowed Harmanpreet complete freedom to attack. She launched three consecutive sixes in the final over, bringing up a stunning half-century from just 25 balls, the fastest by an Indian batter in Women’s T20 World Cup history.
Although she was eventually dismissed for a breathtaking 56 from only 27 deliveries, her innings helped India collect 23 runs in the final over and finish on 170 for 4, their highest-ever total against Australia in Women’s T20 World Cup history. The target represented Australia’s biggest chase ever in the tournament, but the six-time champions rarely appeared overwhelmed.
India struck immediately when Renuka Singh trapped Georgia Voll leg before wicket with the help of a successful review, giving the crowd early hope. Phoebe Litchfield and Beth Mooney responded calmly, rebuilding the innings through sensible running and timely boundaries to keep Australia firmly in contention.
India regained control midway through the chase as left-arm spinner N Sree Charani dismissed the returning Litchfield, while Deepti Sharma removed Mooney shortly afterwards. With Australia needing 99 runs from the final ten overs, the contest appeared evenly poised.
That was when Australia’s experienced campaigners took charge. Ellyse Perry displayed remarkable composure under pressure, expertly rotating the strike while finding regular boundaries through elegant timing rather than brute force. At the other end, Ashleigh Gardner played the aggressor’s role, taking on India’s spin attack with powerful lofted shots.
The decisive moment came when Australia required 86 from 48 balls. Gardner smashed consecutive boundaries and six to shift the momentum before Perry joined the assault with a boundary of her own. The over yielded 17 runs and immediately swung the pressure back onto Australia.
Gardner continued to dominate, clearing the ropes once again against Shree Charani before Perry pierced the field repeatedly with trademark precision. Australia’s experienced duo added a match-winning partnership that steadily dismantled India’s hopes.
As the required rate continued to fall, India’s bowlers struggled to maintain control amid frequent bowling changes and a few costly misfields. Perry reached her half-century from 33 balls before Gardner completed her fifty from just 28 deliveries, underlining Australia’s dominance in high-pressure situations.
Perry eventually departed for a superb 56 after skying a catch in the penultimate over, but the outcome was already beyond doubt. Georgia Wareham struck the winning runs to complete Australia’s successful chase of 172 for 4 and secure a memorable six-wicket victory.
The defeat marked the second successive Women’s T20 World Cup in which India failed to progress beyond the group stage after losing their final league fixture against Australia. While Harmanpreet’s explosive innings and India’s record total against their rivals provided moments of optimism, Australia’s championship pedigree once again proved decisive.
With Perry and Gardner producing yet another match-winning partnership on the biggest stage, Australia marched confidently into another World Cup semi-final, while India were left to reflect on another campaign that promised much but ended in disappointment.
