Australia Knock India Out of Women's T20 World Cup 2026

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Monday, 29 June 2026

India's Women's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign came to a disappointing end after Australia produced a record-breaking run chase to secure a six-wicket victory at Lord's in London. Chasing 171, the six-time champions completed the highest successful chase in the tournament's history with an over to spare, knocking India out of the competition despite a strong batting performance from Harmanpreet Kaur and her side.

Key Highlights:

• Australia chased 171 to beat India by six wickets at Lord's
• Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner shared a match-winning 100-run stand
• Harmanpreet Kaur's explosive 56 went in vain as India's campaign ended

After winning the toss, India opted to bat first on a batting-friendly surface under partly cloudy skies. The decision appeared justified as openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma laid a solid foundation with a 66-run partnership. Shafali played aggressively, scoring 34 from 26 deliveries with three fours and two sixes before Sophie Molineux claimed Australia's first breakthrough.

Smriti continued to anchor the innings with a composed 38 from 37 balls before a run-out halted her progress. Jemimah Rodrigues then ensured India maintained momentum through the middle overs with a fluent 34, rotating the strike effectively and finding regular boundaries.

The biggest impact came in the closing overs through captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Walking in at number four, she transformed the innings with an explosive 56 from only 27 deliveries. Her innings featured six fours and three sixes, including three maximums in the final over, lifting India to an imposing total of 170/4 in their 20 overs. Deepti Sharma added the finishing touch with a boundary from the final ball. Sophie finished as Australia's only wicket-taker with figures of 2/46, while Georgia Wareham and Lucy Hamilton impressed with economical spells.

Australia's reply began poorly as Renuka Singh trapped Georgia Voll lbw in the opening over. India tightened their grip when Nallapureddy Shree Charani dismissed Phoebe Litchfield for 24, leaving Australia at 54/2. Deepti Sharma then removed Beth Mooney for 22, reducing the defending champions to 68/3 after ten overs and placing India firmly in control.

However, the experienced pair of Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner shifted the contest decisively. Perry combined calm accumulation with timely acceleration, striking eight boundaries during her 56 from 38 balls. Ashleigh matched her intent with an unbeaten 53 from just 29 deliveries, smashing three fours and three sixes at a strike rate above 180.

The pair stitched together a stunning 100-run partnership for the fourth wicket from only 57 deliveries, steadily taking the game away from India. Perry eventually fell to Shree Charani in the penultimate over, but Ashleigh remained unbeaten to guide Australia to 172/4 with six balls remaining.

The victory sends Australia into the next stage of the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 and underlines their reputation as the tournament's most successful side. For India, the defeat marks another painful exit despite posting a competitive total and dominating the early stages of Australia's chase.