Team India faced a crucial defeat against Australia in their final group match of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, making their path to the semi-finals very difficult. Australia won by 9 runs, securing their place in the semi-finals, while India’s fate now hangs on the outcome of Pakistan’s match against New Zealand.
Australia’s Early Struggles but Strong Finish
Australia’s innings started with trouble as Renuka Singh took two quick wickets, sending Beth Mooney and Georgia Wareham back to the pavilion early. By the third over, Australia was 17 for 2. But then, a solid 62-run partnership between Grace Harris and acting captain Tahlia McGrath brought stability to the Australian innings.
Grace Harris top-scored with 40, while McGrath contributed a quick 32 off 26 balls. Both players rebuilt the innings cautiously, picking up the pace as they progressed. After McGrath was stumped off Radha Yadav’s bowling, Harris followed soon after, caught off Deepti Sharma’s delivery.
Despite these setbacks, Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland ensured that Australia’s innings didn’t lose momentum. Perry scored 32 off 23 balls, including a six and two boundaries. Quick cameos from Sutherland (10) and Phoebe Lichfield (15 not out) helped Australia reach 151 for 8 in their 20 overs.
India’s Batting Falters Under Pressure
India’s run chase started with hope as Shefali Verma gave the team a quick start, scoring 20 runs in just 13 balls. However, her wicket in the fourth over proved costly. Smriti Mandhana, India’s experienced opener, continued her poor form and was dismissed for just 6 runs in the sixth over. Jemimah Rodrigues, who had been dependable in previous matches, also fell cheaply, leaving India at 47 for 3 after 7 overs.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma were left to rebuild the innings, but Australia’s bowlers kept the pressure on. Harmanpreet struggled to find boundaries, and the partnership between her and Deepti was too slow to keep up with the required run rate.
With 53 runs needed from the last 30 balls, Deepti tried to accelerate but was dismissed for 29 off 25 balls. The 17th over, bowled by Megan Schutt, proved to be a turning point as it yielded just 1 run, leaving India with too much to do in the remaining overs. Despite 12 runs in the 18th and 14 in the 19th, India needed 14 runs in the final over.
Pooja Vastrakar’s dismissal on the second ball of the last over, bowled by Annabel Sutherland, sealed India’s fate. Three more wickets fell in the over, and India ended up 9 runs short, finishing at 142 for 9. Harmanpreet’s unbeaten 54 off 47 balls wasn’t enough to get India over the line.
Semi-Final Hopes Now Rest on Pakistan
With this defeat, India’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals depend on the result of Pakistan’s match against New Zealand. India needs Pakistan to lose to secure their spot in the semi-finals. It’s a tense situation for Indian fans, as their team’s fate now rests in the hands of their neighbors.
Australia’s victory, without their star captain Alyssa Healy, further highlights their depth and resilience, while India will need to regroup and hope for a favorable result in the coming days.
