Agencies |
Australia stormed into the semi-finals with a commanding six-wicket victory over India, successfully chasing down 171 to finish the group stage unbeaten and, in the process, confirm South Africa’s place in the last four.
After restricting India to 170/4, Australia overcame early setbacks with a superb fourth-wicket partnership between Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner. The experienced duo shifted the momentum decisively in the second half of the innings, taking the game away from India with a flurry of boundaries.
Perry remained the anchor of the chase, scoring a fluent 56 before falling late in the innings, while Gardner played the more aggressive role, smashing an unbeaten half-century off just 28 balls. Their partnership ensured Australia reached the target with two overs to spare.
India had looked firmly in control midway through the chase after dismissing Georgia Voll and Phoebe Litchfield and later removing Beth Mooney for 22. Tight spells from Deepti Sharma, Shree Charani and Radha Yadav kept Australia’s scoring in check, with the required run rate climbing close to 11 an over after 12 overs.
However, Gardner launched the counterattack with a series of towering sixes, while Perry accelerated with trademark composure to bring up a 33-ball half-century. Australia plundered 57 runs in four overs to seize complete control of the contest before cruising home.
Earlier, India posted a competitive 170/4 after captain Harmanpreet Kaur led the charge with a blistering unbeaten 56 off just 25 deliveries. Jemimah Rodrigues contributed 34, while Smriti Mandhana made a steady start before falling to Deepti Sharma.
India finished strongly, scoring 36 runs in the final two overs, with Harmanpreet smashing consecutive sixes to reach her fifty. Australia’s fielding proved costly as dropped catches by Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Wareham gifted India valuable late runs.
Despite India’s fighting total, Australia’s batting depth once again proved decisive as the defending champions completed another successful chase to extend their unbeaten run in the tournament.
The result sees Australia advance to the semi-finals at the top of the group, while South Africa also progress after India’s defeat brings their campaign to an end.
