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Australia shattered India’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup dreams with a commanding six-wicket victory at Lord’s on Sunday, chasing down 171 with an over to spare to secure a place in the semi-finals and send Harmanpreet Kaur’s side crashing out of the tournament.
In front of a packed Lord’s crowd, Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner produced a breathtaking counterattack, stitching together a match-defining century partnership to guide the six-time champions to one of the greatest run chases in Women’s T20 World Cup history. The result also confirmed South Africa’s progression to the last four.
London: India arrived at Lord’s knowing that victory would guarantee a semi-final berth. For long periods, they appeared firmly on course. However, Gardner and Perry stood in their way.
Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma provided a fluent start. Harmanpreet Kaur produced another captain’s innings under pressure. India posted a formidable 170 for 4, putting Australia under immediate scoreboard pressure.
Yet when it mattered most, Australia once again found a way.
Harmanpreet Kaur Leads India’s Charge
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, India made an aggressive start through Mandhana and Shafali. The opening pair added 66 runs, putting immediate pressure on the Australian attack.
Shafali struck a brisk 34 before Sophie Molineux broke the partnership, while Mandhana’s innings ended in unfortunate fashion after a costly mix-up with Jemimah Rodrigues resulted in a run-out.
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With India momentarily losing momentum, captain Harmanpreet once again shouldered the responsibility. The skipper accelerated magnificently at the death, smashing three sixes during a whirlwind half-century to lift India to 170 for 4 from their 20 overs.
Jemimah Rodrigues provided valuable support in the middle overs, ensuring India carried momentum into the final stages of the innings.
Australia Survive Early Wobbles
India made the perfect start with the ball when Renuka Singh trapped Georgia Voll lbw in the opening over.
The pressure continued as Shree Charani removed Phoebe Litchfield, before Deepti Sharma became dismissed the dangerous Beth Mooney for the sixth time in T20 internationals, leaving Australia wobbling at 72 for 3. At that stage, India sensed a famous victory.
But Australia possess a remarkable ability to absorb pressure, and Perry and Gardner demonstrated exactly why they remain the benchmark in world cricket.
Perry and Gardner Turn the Match
With the required rate climbing and wickets already lost, Perry and Gardner launched a stunning counterattack.
Indian bowlers struggled to halt the momentum shift as boundaries flowed freely during the decisive stand.
The experienced duo added 100 runs in less than 10 overs, steadily wresting control away from India before accelerating dramatically in the final overs. Perry struck a crucial 56, mixing composure with calculated aggression, before becoming Shree Charani’s 14th scalp of the tournament.
WATCH: Wareham hits winning runsÂ
Gardner hit 53 of 29 balls as Australia reached 172 for 4 in 19 overs, completing a record chase and extending India’s painful history against their long-time rivals on the global stage.
Heartbreak for India
For Harmanpreet Kaur and her team, the defeat will sting deeply.
India entered the tournament as one of the favourites after winning the ODI World Cup earlier this year and had spoken repeatedly about handling pressure better in major tournaments. Yet, when confronted by Australia in a virtual quarter-final, familiar problems resurfaced.
Despite posting a highly competitive total and reducing Australia to 68 for 3 in the 10th over, India were unable to close out the contest.
Australia march into the semi-finals unbeaten and will face West Indies in the last four, while England will take on South Africa in the other semi-final. India’s wait for a first Women’s T20 World Cup title, meanwhile, continues.
Score: India Women 170/4 (20 overs) lost to Australia Women 172/4 (19 overs) by 6 wickets
Player of the Match: Ellyse Perry (Australia) — 56 runs
