India’s run in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup sort of ended abruptly after a six-wicket defeat to Australia in a really key Group 1 game. India basically needed a win to make it to the semi-finals, but Australia went ahead and chased down 171 with, like, one over left. so in the end india lose semi-final chances, while Australia along with South Africa got through to the knockout phase.

India Post 170 after a Strange/ Mixed batting show

India made 170/4 in 20 overs, after being sent in first. Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain, drove things early with a quick 56 off 27 balls, she struck six fours, plus three sixes. Shafali Verma chipped in 34 off 26, giving an aggressive sort of start which looked pretty promising.

Smriti Mandhana made 38 from 37 balls, but her tempo was a bit slower, and that’s where the flow felt choppy. Jemimah Rodrigues added 34 off 28 too, still India seemed not able to lift the run rate properly during the middle overs, no matter what they tried.

Things only properly woke up near the end. Harmanpreet struck three straight sixes off Sophie Molineux in the final over, and Deepti Sharma threw in a boundary as well. India scraped up 23 runs in that last over to reach a defendable total.

Australia bounce back after early jolts

The India women vs Australia women match started nicely for India with the ball. Renuka Singh got Georgia Voll out on the second delivery of the chase. Then, Sri Charani removed Phoebe Litchfield, and Deepti Sharma followed that up by dismissing Beth Mooney.

By 12 overs Australia were 85/3, which left India in a strong spot. The pitch actually gave a bit of help to the spinners, and India kept things under control through the middle part.

Perry and Gardner decide it

Ellyse Perry, together with Ashleigh Gardner, forged the partnership that basically turned the match around. Perry scored 56 off 38 balls, while Gardner stayed unbeaten on 53 from 29, holding firm as the chase went on.

It all kind of turned during those last eight overs, you know, when Australia started pressing India’s bowling, specially around the 13th, 15th, and 17th. Radha Yadav, Sri Charani, and Renuka Singh each had those overs that went a bit too expensive, and because of that Australia clawed down the required run rate fast

Even though Perry got out not too long before the end, Australia still made it to 172/4 in just 19 overs, so the chase was done

Bowling and Fielding Hurt India

India’s bowlers did create some early pressure, but they couldn’t keep the grip through the last phase. Sri Charani showed up again, grabbing 2/32, and Deepti Sharma took a wicket too

Still, loose bowling plus a couple of fielding misses let Australia’s more experienced batters take over in the final overs. In the end India couldn’t hold and defend the total, despite being in a good spot midway

Tournament Outcome

With this result, Australia wrapped up Group 1 on 10 points, while South Africa got through with 8. India, well India missed the semi-final chance, because they couldn’t win their last league match

From Group 2, England moved on and West Indies also advanced to the semi-finals

Match Summary

• India: 170/4 (20 overs)
• Harmanpreet Kaur – 56 (27)
• Smriti Mandhana – 38 (37)
• Shafali Verma – 34 (26)
• Jemimah Rodrigues – 34 (28, retired out)

Best Australia bowlers:

• Sophie Molineux – 2/46
• Australia: 172/4 (19 overs)
• Ellyse Perry – 56 (38)
• Ashleigh Gardner – 53* (29)
• Phoebe Litchfield – 24 (20)
• Beth Mooney – 22 (21)

Best India bowlers:

• Sri Charani – 2/32
• Deepti Sharma – 1/31
• Renuka Singh – 1/41