India’s Women’s ICC T20 World Cup campaign came to a heartbreaking end at Lord’s as Australia chased down 171 with six wickets in hand, ending India’s semi-final hopes in a contest they simply had to win. Despite posting one of their strongest batting performances of the tournament, India were outplayed by an Australian side that once again found a way to deliver under pressure, completing the chase with an over to spare.
Asked to bat first, India started positively through Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, who added 66 for the opening wicket. Shafali was the aggressor with 34(26), striking three fours and two sixes before Sophie Molineux broke the stand. Mandhana continued for 38(37), but the innings threatened to lose momentum through the middle overs as Australia’s bowlers kept the scoring in check.
With India searching for a late surge, an unusual tactical move saw Jemimah Rodrigues retire out after making 34(28), allowing Richa Ghosh to walk in with the final over approaching. But it was captain Harmanpreet who unleashed a breathtaking counterattack, smashing 56(27), including six fours and three sixes, to lift India to 170/4. It was a total that looked competitive, although Molineux’s 2/46 ensured Australia prevented an even bigger finish.
India made the ideal start with the ball when Renuka Singh trapped Georgia Voll in just the second delivery of the innings. However, Australia never allowed the pressure to build. Beth Mooney made 22(20) before Phoebe Litchfield added 24(25), keeping the chase on course despite regular wickets. The turning point came through Australia’s two senior all-rounders. Ellyse Perry produced another masterclass in pacing a chase, compiling 56(38) with eight boundaries, while Ashleigh Gardner played the perfect supporting role before taking control herself.
Her unbeaten 53(29), featuring three fours and three sixes, completed a decisive 100-run partnership that broke India’s resistance. Shree Charani briefly reignited hopes by dismissing both Litchfield and Perry to finish with 2/32, while Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh picked up a wicket apiece, but Australia were never pushed off course. Georgia Wareham struck the winning boundary as Australia reached 172/4 in 19 overs.
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The victory ensured Australia finished the group stage unbeaten and cemented their place in the semi-finals. Earlier in the day South Africa’s win over Bangladesh meant India needed victory to qualify, and Australia’s successful chase confirmed South Africa as the second team through from Group 1. For India it was a painful end to a campaign that had qualification in its own hands going into the final round, only to fall short against one of the tournament favourites.
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