Australia Defeats India by Six Wickets in Women's T20 World Cup

Australia has advanced to the semi-finals of the Women's T20 World Cup after a commanding six-wicket victory against India at Lord's on June 28, 2026. With this win, Australia remains unbeaten in the tournament, depending on five convincing wins to top Group 1.

Following this match, Australia will face the West Indies in the semi-finals, while South Africa secured their spot by defeating Bangladesh earlier in the day. As a consequence of India’s defeat, the team concluded their campaign by finishing third in the group.

Star players for Australia included Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner, who made significant contributions with the bat. Perry scored 56 runs off 38 balls, and Gardner supported with 53 runs from 29 balls. The two formed a formidable partnership, amassing 100 runs for the fourth wicket, helping the team chase down India’s total with relative ease.

India had set a target of 171 runs thanks to an innings that featured a quickfire half-century from captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored 56 runs from just 27 balls. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma also provided a solid start, accumulating 66 runs before the middle order faltered.

At 68 for three in just over nine overs, Australia faced a challenging situation; however, Perry and Gardner’s counter-attack turned the tide in their favour. The team quickly accumulated runs, demonstrating excellent tactical awareness in exploiting gaps in the Indian bowling.

Earlier, India had displayed promise, but their innings slowed after the strong opening partnership. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur attempted to accelerate towards the end, notably hitting three consecutive sixes in the final over, bringing India to a total of 170 runs. However, the overall effort was deemed underwhelming given the context of the match.

Perry's innings included eight boundaries and displayed a strategic approach, while Gardner's performance was characterised by a more explosive style. Both players reached their fifties within a short time frame, contributing heavily to Australia’s successful run chase.

Perry's magnificent performance earned her the Player of the Match honour, and she reflected positively on the experience in her post-match comments.

The semi-finals are scheduled for Tuesday, July 2, with Australia meeting the West Indies at 14:30 BST, and England will face South Africa on Thursday, July 6, at 18:30 BST. This promises to be an exciting conclusion to the tournament with teams vying for a place in the final. Director of Cricket for the ICC expressed their excitement regarding the ongoing tournament and the high level of competition witnessed so far.