A thrilling contest between Australia Women and India Women at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 saw a composure pressure from Australia as they chased down a competitive target with six balls to spare. India Women produced a strong batting effort after being asked to set the total, but Australia Women’s experienced middle order, led by a magnificent innings from Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner, helped them secure a memorable four-wicket victory.
India Women’s innings began with a steady start from openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, who provided their team with a positive platform. The pair added 66 runs for the first wicket before Shafali Verma was dismissed for a quick 34 off 26 balls, including three fours and two sixes. Sophie Molineux provided the breakthrough for Australia, removing the dangerous opener and bringing Jemimah Rodrigues to the crease. Mandhana continued to anchor the innings, but Australia struck again when she was run out after scoring 38 runs from 37 deliveries. Her dismissal left India at 83/2, but Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur steadied the innings with a crucial partnership.
Rodrigues contributed 34 off 28 balls, hitting one four and one six, before retiring hurt as India looked to accelerate in the final overs. The final push came from captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who played a sensational unbeaten knock of 56 off just 27 balls. Her aggressive innings included six fours and three sixes, helping India Women finish strongly at 170/4 in their allotted 20 overs. Richa Ghosh remained unbeaten on 1, while Deepti Sharma added an unbeaten 4.
Australia’s bowlers struggled to contain the Indian batters, with Sophie Molineux being the standout performer, claiming 2 wickets for 46 runs in four overs. Lucy Hamilton bowled economically, conceding 17 runs in three overs, while Kim Garth gave away 24 runs in three overs. Ashleigh Gardner, Ellyse Perry, Georgia Wareham and Annabel Sutherland went wicketless but contributed with disciplined spells.
Chasing 171 for victory, Australia Women began aggressively during the powerplay. Georgia Voll provided early momentum before falling for 4 off 2 balls, with Renuka Singh taking the wicket. Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield then rebuilt the innings with a valuable second-wicket partnership. The duo added 50 runs before Litchfield was dismissed for 24 off 25 deliveries by Shree Charani, who combined with Smriti Mandhana for the catch.
Beth Mooney continued her contribution, scoring 22 off 20 balls, before Yadav removed her to leave Australia in a slightly difficult position. However, Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner changed the direction of the chase with a match-defining partnership. Perry played a fluent knock of 56 off 38 balls, striking eight fours, while Gardner produced the innings of the match with a powerful unbeaten 53 off 29 balls, smashing three fours and three sixes.
Their fourth-wicket partnership of 50 runs in 33 balls completely shifted the momentum towards Australia. Perry was dismissed by N Sree Charani, but Gardner ensured there were no late troubles. Georgia Wareham added an unbeaten 4 as Australia crossed the finish line at 172/4 in 19 overs, completing a four-wicket victory.
India Women’s bowling attack had moments of success, with Renuka Singh finishing with 1/41 from four overs, while N Sree Charani impressed with 2/32 in her four-over spell. Deepti Sharma also claimed a wicket, returning figures of 1/31 from four overs. Shafali Verma bowled four overs for 29 runs, while Radha Yadav conceded 24 runs in two overs without taking a wicket.
The four-wicket win further strengthens Australia’s campaign as they head into the semis unbeaten, while India crashed out of the final four.
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