Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: What India Need to Qualify For Semifinals After South Africa Beat Bangladesh

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IND-W vs AUS-W, Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: While the semi-final spots for Group 1 have already been decided, one Top 4 berth is still open from Group 2. While Australia are all but through to the semi-final, India and South Africa are battling for one final spot and it has all come down to the final day and match of the group stage. What India must do to qualify for the semi-finals?

IND vs AUS, Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: What India need to qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament?

South Africa, who defeated Bangladesh by six wickets in their final group-stage fixture at the Lord’s Cricket Ground, have the poorest net run-rate among India and Australia. The Women in Blue hold an advantage of playing the final group-stage game, meaning they know what is expected of them to reach the semi-finals. As things stand, the Proteas Women’s six-wicket win over Bangladesh have kept them in the race for the final semi-final berth and are currently in the second spot in the points table of Group 1 with eight points under their belt.

It means Harmanpreet Kaur’s girls must beat a strong Aussie outfit to ensure for themselves a semi-final spot. Since India’s net run-rate is superior to South Africa’s, the margin of win should not matter and even a one-run or one-wicket victory should take them through. But a defeat for India means they are knocked out and South Africa will join Australia, England and the West Indies in knockouts.

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Meanwhile, Australia have been overwhelmingly superior to India when it comes to T20 World Cups. Out of seven games, the Women in Blue have only won a couple. The first came in 2018 when they beat Australia by 48 runs in Guyana and pulled off a 17-run upset in the 2020 edition at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Nevertheless, the six-time champions look a frightening outfit on current form and will be keen to continue their momentum ahead of the semi-finals that begin on June 30, Tuesday. Since Australia will most likely finish on top, they are slated to face the West Indies.