Australia once again underlined why they remain one of the favourites to lift the Women’s T20 World Cup, defeating India by six wickets at Lord’s to eliminate Harmanpreet Kaur’s side from the tournament and book their place in the semi-finals.
The result saw Australia finish unbeaten at the top of Group 1 and set up a last-four meeting against West Indies at The Oval on Tuesday. South Africa, who defeated Bangladesh earlier in the day, secured the second semi-final berth from the group, edging India out and earning a clash against hosts England on Thursday.
Knowing only a victory would keep their World Cup hopes alive, India produced a competitive total of 170/4 after being asked to bat. It was their highest score against Australia in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup, but it still proved insufficient against a batting line-up that has consistently delivered on the biggest stage.
India’s innings was built around another impressive effort from captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who struck a fluent 56 featuring six boundaries and three sixes. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma provided the perfect platform with a 66-run opening partnership, putting Australia under early pressure.
However, India’s middle order struggled to accelerate through the closing stages, leaving a feeling that the total was perhaps 15 to 20 runs short on a batting-friendly Lord’s surface.
Australia’s chase suffered an early setback when Georgia Voll was dismissed off just the second ball, briefly raising Indian hopes. But experienced campaigners Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner quickly wrestled back control, putting together a superb 100-run partnership that effectively decided the contest.
Perry, who was named Player of the Match, compiled a composed 56 from just 38 deliveries before falling to Shree Charani. Gardner remained unbeaten on 53, calmly steering Australia towards the target before Georgia Wareham struck the winning boundary with an over to spare.
“We obviously got to see how India bat and knew it was a good wicket and just needed a good partnership,” Perry said after the match. “Hopefully, two more big games to go. But the focus will be on the semi-finals first.”
Australia’s successful chase once again highlighted the depth and composure of a side that has looked formidable throughout the tournament. They remained unbeaten in the group stage and now head into the knockout rounds carrying significant momentum.
For India, the defeat marks another disappointing World Cup campaign. Despite showing flashes of brilliance with the bat, they were unable to deliver in the must-win encounter and failed to reach the semi-finals for the second successive edition of the tournament.
Questions will inevitably be asked about India’s inability to capitalise on strong starts and their struggles to finish innings with the bat. While there were positives in Harmanpreet’s leadership and the opening stand from Mandhana and Shafali, Australia once again demonstrated the gulf that still exists in pressure situations.
As Australia march confidently into the semi-finals, India are left to reflect on another campaign that promised much but ultimately ended in disappointment.
