Australia knock India out of Women’s T20 World Cup, march into semi-finals

Australia ended India’s Women’s T20 World Cup campaign with a six-wicket victory at Lord’s on Sunday, sealing top spot in Group A and booking a place in the semi-finals.

Half-centuries from Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner guided Australia to 171 with an over to spare after India had posted a competitive 170 for four.

India entered the contest needing a win to qualify for the knockout stage after South Africa strengthened their own semi-final hopes earlier in the day with victory over Bangladesh.

Australia’s chase began with an early setback as Georgia Voll was dismissed off the second ball, but Perry and Gardner combined to wrest control of the contest with a decisive 100-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Perry struck 56 from 38 deliveries before falling to Shree Charani, while Gardner remained unbeaten on 53 from just 29 balls to steer Australia home.

“We obviously got to see how India bat and knew it was a good wicket and just needed a good partnership,” Perry said after being named Player of the Match.

“Hopefully, two more big games to go. But focus will be on the semi-finals first.”

Earlier, India recorded their highest-ever total against Australia in a Women’s T20 World Cup, led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s explosive 56 off 27 balls.

Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma laid a solid platform with a 66-run partnership before Jemimah Rodrigues added 34. Harmanpreet then provided the late acceleration with three sixes and six boundaries, lifting India to a total that initially appeared competitive.

However, Australia’s experienced middle order ensured the target was chased down comfortably, extending their unbeaten run through the group stage with five wins from five matches.

The defeat ended India’s hopes of winning a maiden Women’s T20 World Cup title and marked the second successive edition in which they have failed to reach the semi-finals.

Australia will face West Indies in the semi-finals, while India’s campaign comes to an end despite recording three victories in the group stage.