Australia defeated India by nine runs on October 13 at the Sharjah International Stadium in their ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 Group A fixture's last match. Australia posted a total of 151 runs for the loss of 8 wickets before limiting India to a score of 142/9 despite Harmanpreet Kaur's 54 off 47, securing a victory and advancing to the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 semifinals.
India's second defeat in the tournament has placed them on the brink of elimination from the group stage. If New Zealand defeat Pakistan, Harmanpreet Kaur's team will be forced to return home. Now everything boils down to the decider clash between New Zealand and Pakistan on October 14. If New Zealand end up losing their last league-stage match, the semifinalist will be decided by the NRR. But if New Zealand beat Pakistan, they will seal the semifinal spot.
Harmanpreet Kaur on India's slim semifinal qualification chance in Women's T20 World Cup
India skipper Harmanpreet was left gutted with India's heartbreaking loss to Australia. On being hopeful of their slim semifinal chances, she said that it would be great if they get an opportunity to play another game.
"Whatever was in our hands, we were trying to do that. But that is something which is not in our control. If we get the opportunity to play another game, that will be great. But otherwise, whoever deserves to be there, that team will be there," Harmanpreet said in the post-match presentation.
India succumb to Australia
Opting to bat, Australia posted 151 for 8 with opener Grace Harris notching the most, 40 runs off 41 balls. Meanwhile, stand-in captain Tahlia McGrath and Ellyse Perry contributed with 32 runs each. For India, Renuka Singh and Deepti Sharma chipped in with two wickets each while Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav and Shreyanka Patil got one scalp apiece.
Australia posted 151/8, with Grace Harris (40), Tahlia McGrath (32) and Ellyse Perry (32) making useful contributions.
Chasing a challenging target of 152 runs, Harmanpreet Kaur did fight till the end with her unbeaten 54 but she was left stranded with no support from the other batters. For Australia, Annabel Sutherland and Sophie Molineux were the pick of the bowlers as they took two wickets each.
Australia will face an opponent from Group B in the semifinals, with England, West Indies, and South Africa vying for qualification.
Meanwhile, Harmanpreet admitted that the six-time World Champions Australia were a better side on the day.
"They have a batter who can take the target of power play. They don't have anything fixed. According to pitch, according to situation they can make a plan and play. I think we also planned really well. It's not like we were here and there. We were there in the game for the last 20 years. I think the difference between them is that they didn't give us easy runs. I think they have definitely the experience. They have played so many World Cups together. I think that is something that always shows them that they are a great side," she added.
"[on last minute change after toss] That is something which is not in your control. You always have to make your 13th or 14th play for this tournament. Radha was there and she bowled really well. She knew that she is not going to play today's game. She was in the game. She was building well. She gave us a breakthrough when we made it. You need a character like that in the team. Whenever you need them, they are always there. [On conditions] the conditions, I think we did really well. We knew this was a difficult tournament. The only thing is, when Deepti and I were batting, that time we were not able to utilise a few loose balls. We could have controlled the boundaries. I think we were still in the game. But then again, as we know their experience, they know how to win games like that. We have to learn from them," she concluded.
