Australia Edge India by 9 Runs to Dent Semifinal Hopes in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

In a crucial Group A fixture of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 at Sharjah, Australia dented India’s semifinal hopes with a narrow 9-run victory on Sunday. The win secured Australia’s place in the semifinals while India’s future in the tournament now depends on the results of the upcoming New Zealand-Pakistan match. Harmanpreet Kaur’s heroic unbeaten half-century wasn’t enough as India fell just short, closing their innings at 142/9 in 20 overs, chasing Australia’s total of 151/8.

Australia’s Innings: A Steady Start and a Resilient Finish

After winning the toss, Australian skipper Tahlia McGrath elected to bat first on a low and slow Sharjah wicket. Australia got off to a shaky start as Indian pacer Renuka Singh ripped through the top order, removing opener Beth Mooney for 2 and Georgia Wareham for a golden duck in the same over, leaving the defending champions at a precarious 17/2.

However, opener Grace Harris and McGrath put up a crucial 62-run partnership to stabilize the innings. Harris, typically known for her aggressive style, played a more cautious knock, scoring 40 off 41 balls, while McGrath contributed a quickfire 32 off 26 before being stumped by Richa Ghosh off Radha Yadav’s bowling.

India’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout the innings, with Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav both claiming key wickets. Deepti dismissed Harris just as she was looking to accelerate, and the Indian fielders supported their bowlers with sharp catches, particularly Smriti Mandhana, who took a fine catch to dismiss Harris.

As wickets fell at regular intervals, Australia’s lower order stepped up. All-rounder Ellyse Perry played a brisk knock of 32 off 23 balls, and Phoebe Litchfield added a valuable 15* off 9 deliveries in the final overs, pushing Australia to a defendable total of 151/8 in their allotted 20 overs.

India’s Response: Harmanpreet Kaur Leads the Fight

India’s chase began with a glimmer of hope as openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana made a quick start, putting up 25 runs in just three overs. Shafali, in particular, looked dangerous, hitting 20 off 13 balls before being dismissed by Ashleigh Gardner.

Mandhana, however, struggled to get going, and her innings was cut short at 6 runs by Sophie Molineux, leaving India at 31/2 after five overs. Jemimah Rodrigues briefly injected momentum into the chase with a quickfire 16 off 12, but Megan Schutt struck, dismissing her to further dent India’s progress.

India’s hopes then rested on skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and all-rounder Deepti Sharma, who put together a 63-run partnership to keep India’s chances alive. Harmanpreet played a composed knock, reaching her fifty off 45 balls, while Deepti contributed 29 off 25 before falling to Molineux in the 16th over.

With the required run rate climbing, India lost wickets at regular intervals, and despite Harmanpreet’s valiant efforts to keep the scoreboard ticking, Australia’s bowling unit held firm. Megan Schutt and Annabel Sutherland played key roles in containing India’s lower order, and a series of run-outs—Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, and Radha Yadav all falling short of the crease—stifled India’s chase.

Harmanpreet remained unbeaten on 54 off 47 balls, but with little support from the other end, India could only muster 142/9 in their 20 overs, falling short by 9 runs.

Semifinal Hopes Hang in Balance

This loss places India in a precarious position ahead of the final group stage match between New Zealand and Pakistan. India have two wins and two losses from their four games, with victories over Pakistan and Sri Lanka but losses to New Zealand and Australia. A win for New Zealand would end India’s campaign, while a narrow victory for Pakistan could allow India to qualify for the semifinals based on their superior Net Run Rate.

Australia, meanwhile, have confirmed their place in the semifinals with an unbeaten run in Group A, continuing to show why they are six-time champions of the Women’s T20 World Cup.

Key Moments of the Match

• Renuka Singh’s Early Strikes: India’s pacer delivered a brilliant spell upfront, taking two wickets in her second over to put Australia on the back foot.
• Harmanpreet’s Lone Fight: The Indian skipper’s unbeaten 54 kept India’s hopes alive, but lack of support from the middle and lower order proved costly.
• Australia’s Late Surge: Valuable contributions from Ellyse Perry and Phoebe Litchfield in the final overs lifted Australia to a competitive total.
• India’s Run-Out Woes: Three run-outs in the final overs of India’s chase significantly hampered their chances of pulling off the victory.

Looking Ahead

India’s fate now rests on the outcome of the final Group A match between Pakistan and New Zealand. Should Pakistan win by a narrow margin, India could still sneak into the semifinals based on their Net Run Rate. Australia, with their commanding victory, will head into the knockout stages brimming with confidence, aiming for their seventh Women’s T20 World Cup title.