LONDON (AP) — Australia produced a statement group-closing win that eliminated India and advanced South Africa into the semifinals of the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup on Sunday.
Australia looked primed for a seventh crown in 10 World Cups after blowing away India by six wickets with an over to spare at a packed Lord’s.
India had to win to overtake South Africa for the last semifinal spot.
But half-centuries by Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner in a 100-run partnership off 59 balls powered Australia to victory in front of an India-heavy crowd of 27,163, a second record attendance for a World Cup group match in 24 hours.
“Pez (Perry) said that 170 (India’s total) is very, very gettable,” Australia captain Sophie Molineux said. “She was good to go out there and chase it down with Ash. Those two batted beautifully.”
In the semifinals, Australia will play the West Indies on Tuesday and England will face South Africa on Thursday, both at The Oval.
Full Scorecard – India vs Australia ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, June 28
Australia 172 for 4 (Perry 56, Gardner 53*) beat India 170 for 4 (Harmanpreet 56, Mandhana 38, Molineux 2-46) by six wickets
Match Highlights & Key Moments
India was riding on confidence from taking the ODI World Cup last November, followed by a rare T20 series win in Australia. And halfway through the Lord’s match, India was on track.
Shafali Verma blasted off, although Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues scored at run-a-ball pace. Rodrigues perhaps sacrificed herself too late in the 19th over to bring in big-hitting Richa Ghosh.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur was leading India’s charge and smashed three consecutive sixes in a 23-run last over to set up a competitive 170-4 total. Kaur’s 27-ball 56 was her fifth fifty against Australia in T20 World Cups.
Bowling is India’s strength, and the attack reduced Australia to 68-3 in the 10th over.
Australia eventually needed 62 runs from 36 balls when Gardner and Perry exploded. They took 16 runs from Shree Charani, 12 from Verma, then 17 from Renuka Singh to slash the asking rate to a cruisy 17 from 18 balls.
Perry raised her fifty from 33 balls, followed by Gardner from 29. On the brink of victory, Perry was out on 56 to give Charani her tournament-leading 14th wicket. Gardner was 53 not out at a winning 172-4.
Player of the Match
Ellyse Perry was named the Player of the Match for scoring 56 off 38, including 8 boundaries. She also bowled one over and conceded just 7 runs.
What This Result Means for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026
Australia and South Africa have qualified for the semifinals from Group A, while India have been eliminated.
FAQs: Yesterday’s India vs Australia ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026
Who won yesterday’s India vs Australia match?
Australia won by 6 wickets on June 28, 2026.
Who was the Player of the Match?
Ellyse Perry was adjudged the Player of the Match for her brilliant all-round display.
What was the final score of yesterday’s match?
India vs Australia Australia 172 for 4 (Perry 56, Gardner 53*) India 170 for 4 (Harmanpreet 56, Mandhana 38, Molineux 2-46)
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