On Sunday, at Lord’s, Australia completed the highest successful run chase in tournament history, defeating India by six wickets, putting an end to India’s run in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in heartbreaking fashion.

Australia, chasing a difficult score of 171, completed the chase with an over remaining thanks to fantastic half-centuries from Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner, putting an end to India’s aspirations of making it to the semifinals.

Australia and South Africa advanced to the top four with eight points apiece, while India concluded third in Group 1 with six points from five games after the loss. Despite posting one of their greatest batting performances of the competition, Harmanpreet Kaur’s team suffered another agonizing exit.

Following Harmanpreet Kaur’s outstanding late charge, which propelled her team to 170/4, a score that looked competitive on a surface that provided something for both batsmen and bowlers, India seemed to be in total control. However, Australia’s experienced middle order absorbed the early pressure before launching a clinical pursuit that eventually rewrote the Women’s T20 World Cup record books.

Australia was caught off guard when Renuka Singh trapped Georgia Voll leg before in the first over, necessitating a good beginning. Voll briefly поднял indian spirits in what was a must-win encounter by leaving for only four.

However, Australia was able to recover fast after Renuka’s opening over included four wides and gave up 11 runs. Phoebe Litchfield, back from injury, looked confident from the start as she hit back-to-back boundaries off Kranti Gaud in the second over, before Beth Mooney joined the assault with two boundaries of her own.

Following the power play, India immediately discovered another advancement via Shree Charani, their leading spinner.

Australia’s response was swift, even though Litchfield left for a composed 24 runs off 25 deliveries, an innings that included two fours and a six.

In her first three deliveries, Ellyse Perry walked in with a positive attitude and hit two boundaries to show her approach. Mooney continued to turn the strike at the other end before attempting to escape against Deepti Sharma.

While Deepti reached another personal record by claiming the 356th wicket of her international career, India was given fresh hope by Mooney’s dismissal for 22 off 20 balls. India felt a break with 82/3. Perry and Ashleigh Gardner instead put together the match-winning partnership.

The seasoned pair slowly transferred momentum in Australia’s favour by expertly rotating their strikes before launching an aggressive onslaught against India’s bowlers. Perry maintained regular boundaries to keep the demanding rate under control, while Gardner quickly attacked Radha Yadav, hitting a four and a six during the 13th over.

Perry continued to hit beautiful drives through the infield while Gardner again cleared the ropes in the 15th over. In an effort to break the collaboration, Harmanpreet frantically looked for a breakthrough and even passed the ball to Shafali Verma, but the attempt was unsuccessful since Australia easily added another 12 runs.

The 17th over was the turning point. Perry’s half-century came off only 33 balls, with another boundary, as India’s most seasoned pace bowler, Renuka Singh, struggled. India’s prospects of recovering were effectively dashed when the over gave up 17 runs.

Perry ultimately fell in the last over after a magnificent 56 from only 38 deliveries, hitting eight boundaries, but by that point the damage had already been done. There wouldn’t be a last-minute twist, Gardner made sure of it.

Australia achieved the highest successful run chase in Women’s T20 World Cup history in 19 overs, with Australian all-rounder Deepti Sharma remaining unbeaten on 53 after reaching her half-century in just 28 balls with a boundary, securing them a spot in the semifinals.

Harmanpreet chose to bat first after winning the toss, and India had one of the tournament’s greatest batting performances earlier.

A lot of things can open up. Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana took a conservative approach, analyzing the circumstances at Lord’s while scoring only three runs in the first over.

Mandhana quickly discovered her timing after settling in. She hit four consecutive boundaries off Kim Garth in the second over, then added another four in the next over, as India gradually gained momentum.

Shafali first played the supporting part before launching a counterattack on Ashleigh Gardner. Before the powerplay’s final over, the aggressive opener hit a six and a four in the fourth over, helping India reach 43 without a loss after six overs.

Captain Sophie Molineux clean-bowled Shafali for a fluid 34 off 26 deliveries, giving Australia their breakthrough in the 10th over. She made an exciting innings of two sixes and three fours and gave India a formidable 66-run opening partnership.

Jemimah Rodrigues rapidly established herself with an early boundary as Mandhana maintained control of the innings. Nevertheless, a serious communication breakdown between the couple cost India its momentum.

Rodrigues, who was determined to play a reverse sweep, was unable to react swiftly enough when Mandhana requested a speedy single. Mandhana was run out for 38 off 37 balls after an otherwise well-constructed innings that included six boundaries due to the misunderstanding.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur took control right away after India unexpectedly lost two wickets in rapid succession.

She rebuilt the innings alongside Jemimah with shrewd strike rotation and well-timed boundaries. Prior to Harmanpreet changing gears drastically in the final overs, the duo led India over the 100-run barrier in the 14th over.

India exceeded the 150-run threshold when Jemimah also hit a six in the 19th over, speeding things up.

As Rodrigues was dropped twice, Australia’s fielding standards noticeably declined in the last stages. India withdrew her after a productive 34 off 28 balls, which included a four and a six, after realizing there was a chance for a stronger finisher.

Before being dismissed on the following ball, the Indian captain unleashed an incredible assault, blasting three straight sixes to reach her half-century in just 25 balls. Her spectacular 56 off just 26 balls, with six fours and three sixes, helped India reach a daunting 170/4.

Brief Scores:
India 170/4 in 20 overs(Harmanpreet Kaur 56, Smriti Mandhana 38, Shafali Verma 34; Sophie Molineux 2-46)
Australia 172/4 in 19 overs (Elyssa Perry 56, Ashleigh Gardner 53*,Phoebe Litchfield 24;Shree Charani 2-32, Deepti Sharma 1-31)