The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 group stage concluded on Sunday with Australia and South Africa securing their semifinal spots. Australia beat India by six wickets to punch their semifinal ticket. India’s defeat means South Africa are the second team through from Group A. A 100-run partnership between Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner helped roar back from 68/3. In reply to India’s 170/6, Australia post 172/4 in 19 overs. It is the highest successful run chase in Women’s T20 World Cups. Ellyse Perry and
Ashleigh Gardner have scored half-centuries to lead the Australian fightback. The duo taken Australia within touching distance of the target at 166/3 in 18 overs. Australia have picked up the pace, scoring 40 runs in the last three overs. They are back in the contest with 125/3 in 15 overs. Deepti Sharma bagged the prized scalp of Beth Mooney to become the highest wicket-taker in women’s international cricket. She now has 356 international wickets. India have restricted Australia to 72/3 in 10 overs. Australia have
taken the attack to India in the last couple of overs to surge to 49/1 in powerplay. They are marginally ahead of India, who scored 43/0 in the first six overs. Renuka Singh Thakur gave India a dream start as she swung the ball in to trap Georgia Voll lbw in the first over. India captain Harmanpreet Kaur puts the finishing touches on a solid batting performance. Kaur struck three sixes in a row against her Australian counterpart in the final over to take the
team to 170/4. Australia spilt a few chances, and India have made the most of it, scoring 36 runs in the last two overs. Kaur brought up her fifty, with a hoist over long off, in 25 balls for the fastest half-century for India in Women’s T20 World Cups. It is also her fifth successive half-century against Australia in in multi-team T20 tournaments. Smriti Mandhana is run out after confusion between the wickets with Jemimah Rodgrigues. Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur are looking to build on
the confident start. After 15 overs, India are 111/2. Captain Sophie Molineux provides Australia the breakthrough as Shafali Verma misses the attempted drive and the ball clatters into the stumps. Despite that, India have built a base for a strong total here, bringing up 74/1 in 10 overs. India’s opening partnership of 66, from 55 balls, has given the team a solid base. India have come out with the right intent. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma are going for their shots here, and have struck
a combined six fours and a six. At the end of powerplay, India are 43/0. This is only the second time since the 2023 T20 World Cup semifinal that Australia have been wicketless in powerplay. INDIA: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Kranti Gaud, Sree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur AUSTRALIA: Beth Mooney (wk), Georgia Voll, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Nicola Carey, Sophie Molineux (c), Kim Garth, Lucy
Hamilton
Australia vs India, South Africa Group A, ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, semifinal spots, 172/4 chase, Ellyse Perry Ashleigh Gardner, Deepti Sharma 356 wickets, Harmanpreet Kaur fastest half-century