This is the blockbuster fixture everyone has been waiting for in Group 1 of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, featuring a direct shootout between the top two teams. Australia Women are comfortably leading the pack in first place, remaining undefeated with 8 points from four matches and a staggering net run rate of +4.724. India Women are hot on their heels in second place with 6 points and a healthy NRR of +2.268. While Australia have already stamped their authority on the group, India know that a victory here would not only lock in their semi-final berth but also hand the world champions their first defeat.
Squads:
India Women’s Cricket Team
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Nandani Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav
Australia Women’s Cricket Team
Sophie Molineux (C), Tahlia McGrath (VC), Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham
Players to watch out:
Smriti Mandhana
India’s elegant opening batter has put together a phenomenal T20I career, amassing 4500 runs across 170 matches at an average of 30.20 and a strike rate of 125.41, punctuated by 35 half-centuries and a top score of 112. In the current edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, she has maintained her role as a vital contributor at the top order. Across 4 matches in the tournament, she has notched up 167 runs at an average of 41.75 and a brisk strike rate of 153.21. Her campaign is anchored by two half-centuries, with a personal best tournament score of 74, showing her ability to anchor a chase or set a platform.
Ellyse Perry
The legendary Australian all-rounder boasts an incredible career record with 178 T20I appearances under her belt, anchoring the middle order with 2424 runs at an average of 30.68 and a strike rate of 118.18. She has brought that immense experience to the forefront during this World Cup campaign to bail her team out of tricky situations. In her 4 matches so far, Perry has scored 127 runs while remaining unbeaten once, which gives her a healthy tournament average of 42.33. Scoring at a strike rate of 138.04, she has also added one crucial half-century to her tally with a top score of 71 in the competition.
N Sree Charani
The dynamic Indian bowler has enjoyed a highly productive run in the shortest format, taking 40 wickets in 24 T20I matches at an average of 16.25 and an exceptional strike rate of 13.4, with best career figures of 4 for 12. She has translated that wicket-taking knack into absolute gold during the ongoing T20 World Cup, where she currently leads the bowling charts. Spearheading the attack across 4 matches, she has bowled 16 overs and taken a massive haul of 12 wickets. Operating with a stunning tournament strike rate of 8.00 and an average of 7.08, her campaign is highlighted by a brilliant spell of 4 for 19.
Sophie Molineux
Australia’s reliable left-arm spinner has built an impressive T20I profile over 48 matches, picking up 51 wickets at a superb career average of 17.72 and an economy rate of 5.88. She has continued to squeeze opposing batters in this World Cup tournament, offering her captain immense control in the middle overs. Across her 4 appearances, she has sent down 12 overs while picking up 6 wickets. Molineux has been incredibly tough to get away, maintaining a microscopic tournament economy rate of 4.50 and a bowling average of 9.00, with her best spell of the competition yielding figures of 2 for 6.
Pitch:
A firm, hard surface with a light-tan tint that promises true bounce, allowing batters to confidently play their shots while minimizing early seam movement. Batters are rewarded for their shots, making it a high scoring venue, and spinners also find assistance later in the game.
Weather:
Expect brilliant, partly sunny 26°C skies with a gentle 11 mph breeze and only a negligible 15% chance of any rain disrupting play. The conditions promise a complete and uninterrupted game of cricket.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, N Sree Charani, Sophie Molineux, Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Georgia Wareham
Match Details:
Date – June 28, 2026
Time – 7:00 PM IST
Venue – The Lord’s, London
Broadcast – Star Sports Network & JioHotstar
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