London, June 28, 2026 — India's wait for a first global women's title goes on. In a must-win Group A clash at the Home of Cricket, Australia chased down 171 with an over to spare to win by six wickets — knocking India out of the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 and booking their own place in the semi-finals.
It was a cruel way to go. Harmanpreet Kaur's brilliant late hitting had lifted India to a total that looked match-winning. But Australia, the six-time champions, never blinked — and in doing so completed the highest successful run chase in the history of the Women's T20 World Cup.
For India, it is a second straight group-stage exit, and it will sting for a long time.
Harmanpreet Lights Up India's 170/4
Asked to bat first, India got the start they wanted. Smriti Mandhana (38) and Shafali Verma (34 off 26) put on 66 for the opening wicket before Shafali was bowled by Sophie Molineux and Mandhana was run out following a mix-up with Jemimah Rodrigues. Rodrigues (34) kept things ticking, but the innings truly caught fire at the death.
That was the Harmanpreet Kaur show. The captain blazed an unbeaten 56 off just 27 balls, including three sixes in a row off Molineux in a stunning final over. India plundered 36 from their last two overs to finish on 170/4 — their highest-ever total against Australia at a Women's T20 World Cup.
Here is how India's innings unfolded:
Phase | Key contributions | Score |
|---|---|---|
Powerplay | Mandhana 38, Shafali Verma 34 (66 opening stand) | ~58/0 |
Middle overs | Jemimah Rodrigues 34 | ~112/2 |
Death overs | Harmanpreet Kaur 56* (6 fours, 3 sixes) | 170/4 (20 ov) |
India Strike Early — But It Wasn't Enough
India needed early wickets, and Renuka Singh delivered, trapping opener Georgia Voll lbw in the very first over. Left-arm spinner Shree Charani — India's bowler of the tournament — picked up two more to leave Australia three down inside the first ten overs, and for a while the chase looked there for the taking.
Perry and Gardner Turn the Tide
Then came the two players India least wanted to see settle in. Ellyse Perry (56 off 38) mixed clever placement with power, while Ashleigh Gardner counter-attacked the spinners with a fearless unbeaten 53 off 29. Their partnership of around 100 calmly hauled the required rate down and took the game away.
India did force a wobble, removing Perry with the finish line in sight, but Gardner stayed cool and, alongside Georgia Wareham, knocked off the winning runs with an over to spare. Australia 172/4 — and India's tournament was over.
Player of the Match Ellyse Perry summed up the mood, calling it a wonderful day and a special one to deliver against an old rival like India.
Group A: Final Standings
Australia top the group, with South Africa joining them in the semi-finals after their own win over Bangladesh earlier in the day. India finish third — one win short.
Team | P | W | L | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Australia | 5 | 5 | 0 | 10 | Q |
South Africa | 5 | 4 | 1 | 8 | Q |
India | 5 | 3 | 2 | 6 | |
Bangladesh | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
Pakistan | 5 | 1 | 4 | 2 | |
Netherlands | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
(Defending champions New Zealand are competing in Group 2 alongside hosts England and the West Indies.)
What Went Wrong for India?
The headline numbers flattered no one in the chase. India will look back at a few soft moments in the field, some questionable strike-rates in the middle overs, and a familiar story of conceding too many runs at the death. As Harmanpreet admitted afterwards, the side keeps finding itself in winning positions against the best teams, only to let the closing overs slip — something that needs serious rethinking before the next cycle.
Check Full Scorecard IND-W vs AUS-W
FAQs
Who won India vs Australia (Women) at the 2026 T20 World Cup?
Australia won by six wickets at Lord's, chasing down 171 with an over to spare — the highest successful chase in Women's T20 World Cup history.
Is India out of the Women's T20 World Cup 2026?
Yes. The loss leaves India third in Group A on six points, behind Australia and South Africa, and out of the semi-finals.
Who was Player of the Match?
Ellyse Perry, for her 56 off 38 balls and her pivotal stand with Ashleigh Gardner.
Which teams qualified from India's group?
Australia and South Africa booked the two semi-final spots from Group A.
Why did India fail to defend 170?
Perry and Gardner's composed century stand absorbed the pressure, and India couldn't sustain their early breakthroughs — Australia chased it down comfortably with an over in hand.
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