India Crash Out of Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 as Australia Seal Six-Wicket Victory at Lord’s

IND-W vs AUS-W Highlights: India’s Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign came to a heartbreaking end after Australia defeated them by six wickets in their final Group 1 match at Lord’s, London, on Sunday.

Half-centuries from Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner powered the six-time champions to a successful chase of 171 with an over to spare, sending Australia into the semi-finals and knocking India out of the tournament.

Despite winning three of their five group-stage matches, Harmanpreet Kaur and her side finished outside the qualification places as only the top two teams from each group progressed to the knockout stage.

Harmanpreet’s Explosive Fifty Lifts India to 170/4

After electing to bat, India posted a competitive 170/4 in their 20 overs, thanks largely to a captain’s knock from Harmanpreet Kaur.

Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma gave India the ideal start, putting together a 66-run partnership. Verma departed for 34 after another positive innings at the top of the order.

Mandhana looked set for a bigger score but was run out for 38 following a mix-up.

Harmanpreet then took charge of the innings and stitched together a crucial 64-run partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues. India’s momentum suffered a setback when Rodrigues retired hurt in the 19th over with the score at 147/3.

However, the Indian skipper produced a stunning finish to the innings. Harmanpreet smashed Sophie Molineux for three consecutive sixes in the final over as India collected 23 runs from the last six deliveries to finish on 170/4.

The Indian captain remained the top scorer with a blistering 56 off just 27 balls.

Perry and Gardner Rescue Australia

Defending 171, India’s bowlers made an excellent start and had Australia under pressure early in the chase.

The Women in Blue reduced the six-time champions to 68/3 inside 10 overs by dismissing Beth Mooney, Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Voll.

At that stage, India looked firmly in control of the contest.

However, Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner turned the match around with a magnificent partnership. Perry played a composed innings of 56 from 38 balls, while Gardner launched a late assault and remained unbeaten on 53 off just 29 deliveries.

The pair added 100 runs and completely shifted the momentum in Australia’s favour.

With victory within touching distance, Georgia Wareham struck a boundary to seal the win as Australia reached 172/4 in 19 overs, booking their place in the semi-finals and ending India’s World Cup journey.

Another Impressive Showing from Shree Charani

Among India’s bowlers, Shree Charani once again impressed and finished with figures of 2/32, but her efforts were not enough to stop Australia’s strong batting line-up.

IND-W vs AUS-W Brief Scores

India Women: 170/4 in 20 overs
(Harmanpreet Kaur 56; Sophie Molineux 2/46)

Australia Women: 172/4 in 19 overs
(Ellyse Perry 56, Ashleigh Gardner 53 not out; Shree Charani 2/32)

Result: Australia Women won by six wickets.

India’s campaign ends in disappointment despite three victories in the group stage, while Australia march into yet another Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final with a clinical chase under pressure.