IND-W vs AUS-W: Australia Knock India Out of Women's T20 World Cup with Six-Wicket Win

BY: Webdunia News Team

Publish: Mon, 29 Jun 2026 (10:28 IST) Updated: Mon, 29 Jun 2026 (10:28 IST)

Australia Women produced a clinical run chase to defeat India Women by six wickets in a high-stakes ICC Women's T20 World Cup Group A clash at Lord's on Sunday. Chasing a challenging target of 171, Ashleigh Gardner and Ellyse Perry stitched together an unbeaten century partnership to guide Australia to victory with an over to spare, ending India's campaign.

Despite a blistering half-century from captain Harmanpreet Kaur that lifted India to 170/4, Australia responded with composure, finishing on 172/4 in just 19 overs.

Early Blow Doesn't Stop Australia

India made the perfect start with Renuka Singh Thakur dismissing opener Georgia Voll in the second ball of the innings after successfully overturning the on-field decision through DRS.

Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield steadied the innings with a solid partnership. Litchfield played positively, striking a six and a series of boundaries before she was caught at long-off, breaking a promising stand.

India tightened the screws further when Deepti Sharma removed Mooney for 22, reducing Australia to 68/3 and putting the pressure firmly on the defending champions.

Gardner and Perry Turn the Match Around

With Australia in trouble, Ashleigh Gardner and Ellyse Perry produced one of the tournament's finest partnerships.

Gardner launched the counterattack with fearless stroke play, clearing the ropes multiple times while finding the boundary with ease. Perry complemented her perfectly, relying on elegant drives and smart placement to keep the scoreboard ticking.

The pair added 100 runs in just 57 deliveries, taking the game away from India. Gardner reached her unbeaten half-century with a boundary through extra cover, while Perry brought up her fifty by lofting Renuka Singh straight down the ground.

India's task became even tougher after costly no-balls and fielding errors handed Australia extra opportunities during the chase.

Although Charani eventually dismissed Perry for 56 in the penultimate over, the breakthrough came too late to change the outcome.

Needing only four runs, Georgia Wareham finished the match in style by smashing a boundary down the ground in the 19th over, sealing Australia's six-wicket victory.

Harmanpreet's Explosive Knock Goes in Vain

Earlier, India built a strong platform through openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, who shared a 66-run partnership.

Mandhana scored a fluent 38, while Shafali contributed 34 before both departed. Jemimah Rodrigues also chipped in after surviving an LBW review, while Australia's fielding lapses allowed India to capitalize on missed chances.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur then took charge in the death overs, smashing 56 off just 27 deliveries. Her innings featured three consecutive sixes off Sophie Molineux, one of which slipped through Phoebe Litchfield's hands for a maximum.

Harmanpreet fell on the penultimate ball of the innings, while Deepti Sharma struck a boundary off the final delivery to help India post a competitive total of 170/4.

India's World Cup Journey Ends

Despite setting a challenging target, India could not contain Australia's experienced middle order. Gardner's unbeaten 53 off 29 balls and Perry's composed 56 not out proved decisive as Australia booked their place in the knockout stage.

India, who entered the tournament with high expectations, exit the competition after suffering defeats to South Africa and Australia in the highly competitive "Group of Death." Australia's commanding win once again highlighted their reputation as one of the strongest teams in women's cricket, while India's search for a maiden T20 World Cup title continues.