Sharjah . Australia entered the semi-finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup after defeating India by nine runs in a Group A match on Sunday. Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s unbeaten 54-run knock couldn’t lead India to victory in this “do-or-die” match.
With this win, Australia maintained their unbeaten streak in the tournament, winning all four of their group-stage matches. On the other hand, India’s chances of qualifying for the semi-finals now depend on the result of the final Group A match between New Zealand and Pakistan, scheduled for Monday. If Pakistan wins, India will secure a place in the semi-finals as the second team from the group.
After winning the toss, Australia set a target of 152 runs for India. Shafali Verma gave India a blazing start with a quick 20 runs off 13 balls, hitting two fours and one six. However, she was dismissed by Ashleigh Gardner in the third ball of the fourth over.
Jemimah Rodrigues and Smriti Mandhana added just 13 runs together before Sophie Molineux gave India its second blow, dismissing Smriti for six in the final over of the powerplay. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur came to bat at number four.
In the next over, Megan Schutt sent Jemimah (16) back to the pavilion. Harmanpreet and Deepti Sharma then stitched together a crucial 63-run partnership, rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries.
Molineux broke the partnership in the 16th over, pushing the game away from India again. After Deepti’s dismissal, India required 42 runs from 25 balls, with Harmanpreet still at the crease.
However, India’s tailenders crumbled under pressure. Harmanpreet hit four boundaries in the last two overs, completing her half-century in 44 balls. India needed 14 runs from the final over, but they lost four wickets, including two run-outs. Harmanpreet only faced two balls in the final over, and India finished at 142/9 in 20 overs.
For Australia, Molineux and Annabel Sutherland took two wickets each.
Earlier, Australia scored 151/8 in their allotted 20 overs.
Brief Scores:
- Australia: 151/8 in 20 overs (Grace Harris 40, Tahlia McGrath 32, Ellyse Perry 32; Renuka Singh 2-24, Deepti Sharma 2-28)
- India: 142/9 in 20 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 54* not out, Deepti Sharma 29; Annabel Sutherland 2-22, Sophie Molineux 2-32)
Australia won by 9 runs.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.