Australia Knock India Out of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup; Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner Power Aussies into Semifinals

Australia defeated India by six wickets in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on Sunday, knocking India out of the tournament and securing a place in the semifinals. Chasing 171, Ellyse Perry scored 56 off 38 balls and Ashleigh Gardner remained unbeaten on 53 off 29 balls as the six-time champions completed the chase in 19 overs. The defeat could also signal the end of Harmanpreet Kaur’s tenure as India’s T20 captain.

Perry and Gardner Lead Australia into the Semifinals

Australia recovered from 68 for 3 in 9.1 overs to chase down 171 with ease.

Ellyse Perry (56 off 38 balls) and Ashleigh Gardner (53 not out off 29 balls) shared a 100-run partnership for the fourth wicket, guiding Australia to victory.

The result ensured:

• Australia finished Group 1 at the top with 10 points and an unbeaten record.
• India finished third with 6 points.
• South Africa also qualified for the semifinals with 8 points after defeating Bangladesh by four wickets earlier in the day.

India Make Bright Start but Lose Momentum

Earlier, India posted 170 for 4 after captain Harmanpreet Kaur smashed 56 off 27 balls.

Openers:

• Smriti Mandhana – 38
• Shafali Verma – 34

added 66 runs for the opening wicket.

India reached 43 without loss in the powerplay but struggled to accelerate consistently.

Key moments included:

• Shafali hit two sixes off Ashleigh Gardner before being bowled while attempting an attacking shot against Sophie Molineux.
• Mandhana was run out following a mix-up with Jemimah Rodrigues (34 off 28 balls) after Georgia Wareham’s throw found Lucy Hamilton.
• Rodrigues hit an early boundary but failed to maintain momentum. She was dropped on 27, with the catch resulting in a six off Annabel Sutherland, and survived another chance on 33.
• Rodrigues was retired out before the final over to allow Richa Ghosh to bat, but Ghosh faced only one ball.
• Harmanpreet reached her fifty in 26 balls and struck three consecutive sixes off Australian captain Sophie Molineux in the final over, which produced 23 runs.

Australia Recover After Early Wickets

India made an encouraging start with the ball.

Australia lost:

• Phoebe Litchfield
• Georgia Voll
• Beth Mooney

for low scores.

Georgia Voll was dismissed in the first over by Renuka Singh.

However, Perry and Gardner used their experience to dominate the Indian attack.

Gardner hit sixes off Sree Charani and Shafali Verma, while Perry’s innings included eight fours. Perry reached her half-century in 33 balls, while Gardner completed hers in 29 balls, four deliveries quicker.

Perry was eventually dismissed by Sree Charani, who is the highest wicket-taker of the tournament, but Australia was already on course for victory.

Stokes of Investigation Mentioned

The report noted that the defeat could well mean the end of Harmanpreet Kaur’s time as India’s T20 captain, although no official announcement has been made.

Australia booked their place in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semifinals with a six-wicket victory over India in London, successfully chasing 171 in 19 overs. Ellyse Perry (56) and Ashleigh Gardner (53 not out) starred with a 100-run fourth-wicket partnership, while Harmanpreet Kaur’s quick 56 off 27 balls was not enough to keep India in the tournament. Australia topped Group 1 with 10 points, India finished third with 6 points, and South Africa also advanced to the last four with 8 points.

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