Women’s T20 World Cup, IND vs AUS: After South Africa’s four-wicket win over Bangladesh, what does India need to do against Australia at Lord’s to seal a semi-final berth?
The race for the two semi-final spots from Group A has come down to the final league match of the Women’s T20 World Cup. India’s clash against Australia at Lord’s Cricket Ground will decide which two teams from India, Australia and South Africa will advance to the semi-finals.
Before the India-Australia match, South Africa defeated Bangladesh by four wickets at Lord’s. The win took the Proteas to eight points, level with Australia, while India slipped to third on the table. So, what does India need to do to qualify?
India vs Australia, Women’s T20 World Cup: Update | Achievement:
The equation is simple: India must beat Australia. A win will take India to eight points and level with South Africa, but India will advance on the basis of better net run rate. However, a defeat will leave India with six points and elimination from the tournament.
Australia are almost certain to reach the semi-finals due to their excellent net run rate of +4.724. Meanwhile, South Africa’s qualification fate is no longer in their own hands.
Who came for India?
India has made one change in the team that defeated Bangladesh by including fast bowler Kranti Gaur in place of Nandini Sharma. Kranti have faced a tough tournament so far and have not got any wickets in their two matches.
Meanwhile, Australia welcomed back Phoebe Litchfield after her recovery from a quad injury. The left-handed player returned to the playing eleven at number 3 in place of leg spinner Alanna King.
Litchfield, who scored a brilliant century against India in the Women’s ODI World Cup semi-final in Navi Mumbai last year, will take fond memories into the competition. She will be hoping for another match-winning innings.
India have won only two of their seven matches against Australia in the Women’s T20 World Cup. Their last win came in Sydney in 2020, when Poonam Yadav’s four-wicket haul gave them a memorable win.
Playing XI for India Women vs Australia Women
Australia Women (Playing XI): Beth Mooney (w), Georgia Woll, Phoebe Lichfield, Ellyse Perry, Ashley Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Nicola Carey, Sophie Molyneux (c), Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton.
India Women (Playing XI): Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (W), Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Sri Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur, Kranti Gaur.
Many more to follow…
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