In a crucial match Australia beat India by six wickets and reached the semifinals unbeaten. The 50 over World Cup champions India were knocked out of the T20 World Cup after a disappointing campaign. Apart from Australia, West Indies, England and South Africa also qualified for the knockouts.

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Batting first India set Australia a target of 171 runs but Australia chased it down in the 19th over comfortably. Ellyse Perry was named Player of the Match for scoring 56 runs from 38 balls.

Toss

After winning the toss India captain Harmanpreet Kaur chose to bat first.

India Innings

Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma gave India a steady start but their careful batting slowed the run rate early. The pair added 66 runs in 9.1 overs before Shafali Verma fell to Sophie Molineux for 34 off 26 balls. Later Smriti Mandhana was run out for 38 off 37 balls after a mix up with Jemimah Rodrigues.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues added 64 runs from 45 balls to help India reach a competitive total. Jemimah Rodrigues retired out in the 19th over after scoring 34 runs from 28 balls. Harmanpreet Kaur smashed 56 off 27 balls with six fours and three sixes to give India a strong finish.

At the end of 20 overs India finished on 170 for 4.

Wicket Takers Australia

Sophie Molineux (2/46 in 4 overs) is the only wicket taker for Australia.

Australia Innings

Renuka Singh Thakur gave India a perfect start by dismissing Georgia Voll for four on the second ball. Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield steadied Australia with a 50 run partnership for the second wicket during the chase. Left arm spinner Shree Charani dismissed Phoebe Litchfield for 24 off 25 balls to break the partnership.

India then put Australia under pressure by dismissing Beth Mooney for 22 runs from 20 balls. Spinner Deepti Sharma dismissed her and Australia slipped to 68 for 3. Then Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner added 100 runs from 59 balls for the fourth wicket to put Australia in control.

Ellyse Perry scored 56 off 38 balls while Ashleigh Gardner remained unbeaten on 53 from 29 balls. George Wareham hit the winning runs off Shree Charani to seal Australia’s victory and knock India out of the tournament.

Wicket Takers India

Shree Charani (2/32 in 4 overs) , Deepti Sharma (1/31 in 4 overs) and Renuka Singh (1/41 in 4 overs).

Player of the Match

Ellyse Perry (56 runs from 38 balls).