Australia knocked India out of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a commanding six-wicket victory at Lord’s on Sunday, booking their place in the semi-finals alongside South Africa.
Chasing 170, the defending champions reached the target with an over to spare after match-winning half-centuries from Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner. The defeat meant India finished third in Group A, with their earlier loss to South Africa proving decisive in the race for the knockout stage.
Perry and Gardner seal Australia’s chase
India made the perfect start when Renuka Singh trapped Georgia Voll lbw with the second ball of the innings after a successful review.
Phoebe Litchfield and Beth Mooney steadied the chase with a 50-run partnership before India fought back to reduce Australia to 68/3, raising hopes of a famous victory.
However, Perry struck a composed 56 off 38 balls, while Gardner remained unbeaten on 53 from just 29 deliveries. The experienced duo stitched together a match-winning partnership to guide Australia home and maintain their unbeaten run in the tournament.
Harmanpreet’s brilliance goes in vain
Earlier, India posted a competitive 170/4 after captain Harmanpreet Kaur produced a stunning unbeaten 56 off just 27 deliveries.
Smriti Mandhana contributed 38, while Shafali Verma made 34 during a 66-run opening stand. Jemimah Rodrigues added 34 before retiring out to allow finisher Richa Ghosh to bat in the closing overs.
Harmanpreet took charge at the death, smashing three sixes in the final over off Australian captain Sophie Molineux as India added 23 runs to finish strongly.
India bow out despite fighting total
Despite defending 170, India were unable to contain Australia’s deep batting line-up as Perry and Gardner absorbed the pressure before accelerating in the closing stages.
The result ended India’s campaign in the group stage, while six-time champions Australia advanced to the semi-finals as Group A winners. South Africa joined them after defeating Bangladesh earlier in the day.
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