Australia once again proved why they remain one of the strongest sides in women’s cricket, pulling off a high-pressure chase against India at Lord’s to secure their place in the semi-finals and end India’s T20 World Cup campaign.
Chasing 171, the highest successful chase in women’s T20 World Cup history, Australia reached the target with composure and confidence. Ellyse Perry and Ash Gardner were the key performers, both scoring important half-centuries in a partnership that changed the direction of the match. Their calculated aggression helped Australia overcome a demanding equation of 62 runs from the final six overs.
India had earlier posted 170, their highest total against Australia in a women’s T20 World Cup. Openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana gave India a careful but steady start, putting together a fifty-run stand. Mandhana looked fluent on the leg side, while Shafali targeted the off side and took on Gardner with confidence.
Australia had to wait until the ninth over for their first breakthrough, when Sophie Molineux bowled Shafali for a lively 33. Soon after, a mix-up between Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues resulted in Mandhana being run out for 38, leaving India with work to do.
That is when Harmanpreet Kaur lifted the innings. Coming in with the scoring rate just above seven an over, she immediately brought intent and control. Her late burst gave India the momentum they badly needed. After a quiet 18th over, Harmanpreet exploded in the final stages, striking three consecutive sixes in the last over and reaching a 25-ball fifty, the fastest by an Indian batter in women’s T20 World Cups. She was eventually dismissed for 56 from 27 balls, but her innings pushed India to a strong 170.
Australia’s chase began with an early setback when Georgia Voll was trapped lbw by Renuka Singh. However, Phoebe Litchfield and Beth Mooney kept the scoreboard moving before India’s spinners brought the contest back to life. Shree Charani removed Litchfield for 24, while Deepti Sharma dismissed Mooney, leaving Australia needing 99 from the last ten overs.
From there, Perry and Gardner took control. Gardner attacked the spinners with powerful strokes, while Perry placed the ball smartly and kept the pressure on India. Their partnership reduced the target quickly, and a costly 17-run over from Renuka Singh brought Australia close to victory.
Perry fell for 56 near the finish, but Georgia Wareham completed the job. The result sends Australia and South Africa through from Group A, while India suffer another painful group-stage exit against Australia.
