Harmanpreet's 25-ball fifty fires India to 170/4 vs Australia at Women's T20 WC
Synopsis
Harmanpreet Kaur's three-sixes-in-a-row final-over blitz — a 25-ball fifty, the fastest of the tournament — transformed a wobbling India innings into a 170/4 total at Lord's. With the semi-final on the line, this was a captain's knock timed to perfection.
Key Takeaways
Harmanpreet Kaur smashed 56 off 26 balls , reaching her fifty in just 25 balls — the fastest of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 .
India posted 170/4 in 20 overs against Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground on 28 June 2026 .
Openers Smriti Mandhana (38 off 37) and Shafali Verma (34 off 26) put on a 66-run partnership .
Jemimah Rodrigues contributed 34 off 28 balls before being retired out.
Sophie Molineux was Australia's best bowler with 2 for 46 .
The match is a must-win for India to qualify for the semi-finals.
Harmanpreet Kaur blazed a breathtaking 56 off 26 balls — including three successive sixes in the final over — to propel India to a commanding 170/4 against Australia in their final ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 Group stage fixture at Lord's Cricket Ground, London, on Sunday, 28 June. The result is a must-win for India to advance to the semi-finals.
Solid Platform at the Top
After Harmanpreet won the toss and elected to bat, openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma took a measured start, managing just three runs in the opening over as they assessed the conditions at Lord's. Mandhana soon found her range, picking off consecutive boundaries against Kim Garth in the second over to set the tempo.
Shafali shifted gears in the fourth over, punishing Ashleigh Gardner for a six and a four before adding another boundary in the final over of the Power-play. India closed the six-over Power-play at a steady 43 without loss.
Opening Stand and Back-to-Back Blows
The partnership continued to flourish after the Power-play, with Shafali repeatedly targeting Gardner — a four and a six in the ninth over pushed the opening stand past 60 runs. Sophie Molineux ended the stand in the 10th over, clean bowling Shafali for a well-made 34 off 26 balls — an innings that featured three fours and two sixes and had yielded a 66-run opening partnership.
A costly run-out then removed Mandhana for 38 off 37 balls. Looking for a quick single, Mandhana set off, but Jemimah Rodrigues — attempting a reverse sweep — could not respond in time, leaving India suddenly two wickets down in quick succession.
Harmanpreet Takes Control
With the innings wobbling, Harmanpreet joined Rodrigues and the pair rebuilt patiently, rotating the strike and keeping the scoreboard ticking. India reached the 100-run mark in the 14th over. From the 15th over onwards, Harmanpreet shifted to full attack, finding the boundary off Annabel Sutherland and converting singles into twos with sharp running.
Rodrigues also accelerated, depositing Sutherland for a six in the 19th over as India crossed 150. Australia were uncharacteristically sloppy in the field during the closing stages, putting down Rodrigues twice. India eventually retired her out for 34 off 28 balls, an innings that included a four and a six.
Harmanpreet's Explosive Finish
The final over was a Harmanpreet masterclass. The India captain launched three consecutive sixes to reach her half-century in just 25 balls — the fastest fifty of this tournament — before being dismissed off the very next delivery. Her 56 off 26 balls was laced with six fours and three sixes, and it lifted India to an imposing 170/4 from their 20 overs.
Sophie Molineux was Australia's standout bowler, finishing with figures of 2 for 46. India's bowlers now have a strong total to defend as the side looks to seal a semi-final berth.
Brief Scores
India 170/4 in 20 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 56, Smriti Mandhana 38, Shafali Verma 34; Sophie Molineux 2-46) vs Australia.
Point of View
But India's middle-order fragility — two wickets lost in quick succession after a 66-run opening stand — remains a recurring vulnerability in knockout-pressure games. The retirement of Rodrigues, rather than letting her bat through, is a tactical call that will invite scrutiny if the total proves insufficient. At 170, India have posted a competitive score at Lord's, but Australia's batting depth means this contest is far from settled. The real story here is whether India's bowling attack can match the ambition of their captain's blade.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many runs did Harmanpreet Kaur score against Australia in the Women's T20 World Cup 2026?
Harmanpreet Kaur scored 56 runs off just 26 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes. She reached her half-century in 25 balls, making it the fastest fifty of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026.
What was India's final score against Australia at Lord's?
India finished on 170/4 in 20 overs in their Group stage match against Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground on 28 June 2026. The total was built on contributions from Harmanpreet Kaur (56), Smriti Mandhana (38), Shafali Verma (34), and Jemimah Rodrigues (34 retired out).
Why is the India vs Australia Women's T20 World Cup 2026 match a must-win for India?
It is India's final Group stage match, and a win is required for them to secure a place in the semi-finals of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. A loss would end their campaign at the group stage.
How did the India opening partnership perform against Australia?
Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma put on a 66-run opening stand before being dismissed in the 10th over. Shafali was clean bowled by Sophie Molineux for 34, while Mandhana was run out for 38 in a mix-up with Jemimah Rodrigues.
Who was Australia's best bowler against India at Lord's?
Sophie Molineux was Australia's standout performer with the ball, finishing with figures of 2 for 46. She claimed the wickets of both Shafali Verma and one other batter to keep Australia in the contest.
