In a dramatic and high-octane clash, Australia triumphed over India by nine runs in their final group-stage match at the Women’s T20 World Cup in Sharjah. The victory, while important for Australia, left India’s semi-final hopes hanging by a thread. India will now have to wait on the outcome of the New Zealand vs Pakistan game to determine whether they will advance to the knockout stages. A New Zealand win will eliminate India, while a Pakistan victory will lead to a net run-rate decider.
The match was an intense contest, played in front of a sold-out crowd of 14,946 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Both sides were facing injury concerns, with Australia missing captain Alyssa Healy, who arrived on crutches after a foot injury, and pacer Tayla Vlaeminck, who was ruled out of the tournament. India, too, suffered a blow before the match even started, as Asha Sobhana was injured during the toss, forcing a late change in the XI with Radha Yadav coming in as her replacement.
Australia Women: 151 for 8 (Harris 40, McGrath 32, Perry 32; Renuka 2-24, Deepti 2-28)
India Women: 142 for 9 (Harmanpreet 54, Deepti 29; Sutherland 2-22, Molineux 2-32)
Australia women beat India women by 9 runs
Australia’s Innings
Australia won the toss and opted to bat first, but they got off to a shaky start, losing two wickets early. Renuka Singh struck first, removing Beth Mooney with a low catch at backward point. Georgia Wareham was promoted to No. 3, fell next, and adjudged LBW to Renuka. However, Grace Harris and Tahlia McGrath steadied the ship, putting on a vital 62-run stand for the third wicket. Both batters shifted gears in the middle overs, with McGrath taking on Pooja Vastrakar and Harris providing a steady flow of boundaries.
India’s fielding let them down at key moments, with Harmanpreet Kaur dropping McGrath on 31 and the India captain failing to take another catch in a tense over. The breakthrough eventually came when McGrath was stumped by Richa Ghosh off Radha Yadav’s bowling. Harris followed soon after, falling to Deepti Sharma, and the Australian middle order looked vulnerable.
Ellyse Perry, though, delivered a crucial cameo, scoring 32 off 23 balls to boost Australia’s total. Despite losing wickets in a collapse of 6 for 31, Australia finished their innings at 151 for 8, with Perry’s late flurry keeping the score competitive.
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India’s Chase
India’s response got off to a bright start, thanks to a blazing 20 off 13 balls from Shafali Verma. She smashed three boundaries, including a huge six off Megan Schutt, but her momentum was halted when she holed out to long-on off Ashleigh Gardner for 20. Australia quickly put the squeeze on, with two more wickets falling within the next five overs.
Jemimah Rodrigues was the next to go, dismissed by Annabel Sutherland, and Smriti Mandhana followed soon after, trapped LBW by Sophie Molineux. India’s chase was suddenly in trouble at 41 for 2 at the end of the powerplay. Harmanpreet Kaur, though, refused to give up, anchoring the innings with a gutsy half-century, her second consecutive one in the tournament.
Harmanpreet found support from Deepti Sharma as the pair added 63 runs for the fourth wicket, keeping India’s hopes alive. However, the pressure of the mounting required run rate was too much. After Deepti was dismissed for 29, Harmanpreet was left to fend for herself, but with India needing 62 from the last six overs, the task proved too daunting.
India’s lower order crumbled, and despite Harmanpreet’s valiant effort, India fell short, finishing at 142 for 9. Harmanpreet remained unbeaten on 54, but her efforts weren’t enough to pull India over the line.
India now faces an anxious wait, hoping for a Pakistan victory over New Zealand to give them a chance to advance to the semi-finals based on net run rate.