Australia's 100-run partnership knocks India out of Women's T20 World Cup
India's Women's T20 World Cup campaign ended on Sunday after Australia chased down a target of 170 with an over to spare at Lord's. The defeat meant South Africa, not India, advanced to the semi-finals from Group A.
India needed to win to keep semi-final hopes alive, but Australia's fourth-wicket partnership of 100 runs between Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner turned the match. After India had reduced Australia to 85 for 3 in the 12th over, the required rate climbed above 10 runs per over. Radha Yadav's 13th over, which conceded 17 runs, released the pressure and allowed Perry and Gardner to take control.
Perry scored 56 off 42 balls, while Gardner made 45 not out off 31. Their partnership came after India's bowlers had struck early: Renuka Singh Thakur trapped Georgia Voll leg before wicket with the second ball, Sree Charani dismissed Phoebe Litchfield for 24, and Deepti Sharma bowled Beth Mooney for 18. Deepti became the leading wicket-taker in women's international cricket with that wicket.
India's fielding was sharp, with wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh effecting a stumping and several boundary-saving stops. However, the bowling lost discipline after Radha's over. Charani conceded 16 in the 15th over, Shafali Verma gave away 12 in her next over, and Renuka was hit for 17 in the 18th over, including a straight six by Gardner.
Earlier, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur led from the front with a 27-ball 56, including three consecutive sixes in the final over from Sophie Molineux. She lifted India from a modest position to 170 for 4. Smriti Mandhana had made 18, and Jemimah Rodrigues scored 23. Molineux and Annabel Sutherland took one wicket each for Australia.
Australia's chase was steady, though they lost early wickets. India's hopes hinged on breaking the Perry-Gardner stand, but the pair batted with caution initially and then attacked. Deepti, who had conceded only 19 runs in her first three overs, could not contain them in the death overs. Charani eventually dismissed Perry with Australia needing only a few runs, and Gardner and Grace Harris completed the victory.
India finished third in Group A with two wins in four matches, while Australia and South Africa advanced to the semi-finals.
