Australia beat India to reach Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals

LONDON: Australia sealed a place in the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals after a six-wicket victory over India at Lord’s on Sunday, a result that also ended India’s campaign.

Australia completed the chase of 171 with an over remaining to preserve a perfect group-stage record, making it five wins from five matches and ensuring they advanced as group leaders. India had gone into the match needing a win to stay alive after South Africa strengthened their own semi-final hopes with a four-wicket victory over Bangladesh in a low-scoring contest.

Australia were jolted early in the chase when opener Georgia Voll was dismissed off the second ball. But Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner rebuilt the innings with a 100-run stand for the fourth wicket. Perry struck 56 from 38 balls before Shree Charani removed her, while Gardner stayed unbeaten on 53 off 29 deliveries to take Australia home.

Perry, who was named player of the match, said Australia had taken note of the conditions during India’s innings. "We obviously got to see how India bat and knew it was a good wicket and just needed a good partnership. Hopefully, two more big games to go. But focus will be on the semi-finals first," he said.

India fall short despite strong total

India posted 170 for four, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur leading the scoring through a rapid 56 off 27 balls that included three sixes and six fours. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma laid the foundation with a 66-run opening stand, but the middle order could not fully sustain the momentum.

Jemimah Rodrigues made 34 from 28 balls before being retired out late in the innings. Harmanpreet’s late acceleration lifted India to their highest total against Australia in a Women’s T20 World Cup match, but it was not enough to keep their tournament hopes alive.

The loss ended India’s bid for a first Women’s T20 World Cup title and also denied them the chance to complete a double after winning the One-Day International World Cup last year. It was also the second straight edition in which India failed to reach the semi-finals, following their group-stage elimination in 2024.

Defending champions New Zealand had already been knocked out on Saturday after a nine-wicket defeat to England. Australia will now meet West Indies in the semi-finals on Tuesday.