Harmanpreet-led Team India Falls Short Against Australia, Loses Final Group Stage Match by 9 Runs

Team India perished against the Australia challenge in Sharjah as they lost the final group stage match of the tournament. The win will solidify Australia's position in the points table, while the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Team India's hopes for their first ICC title continue to fall. Despite captain Harmanpreet Kaur's undefeated 54, India's nine-run defeat to six-time champions Australia on Sunday sealed their fate as a semifinalist in the women's T20 World Cup .

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Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: Team India Lose a Must-Win Clash Against Undefeated Australia

India is in a challenging situation to make it to the women's T20 World Cup semifinals on Sunday after losing to reigning champions Australia by nine runs in their final group match. The Indian Women's side finished at 142 for 9, needing to reach 152 to win. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur led the way with 54 off 47 balls. Shafali Verma contributed 20 and Deepti Sharma contributed 29, respectively. India finished their Group A campaign with two victories, two defeats, and four points.

After deciding to bat, Australia was held to 151 for 8, with Grace Harris leading the way with 40 runs off of 41 balls. Tahlia McGrath, the interim captain, and Ellyse Perry both contributed 32. For India, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav, and Shreyanka Patil each claimed one wicket, while Renuka Singh and Deepti Sharma claimed two wickets apiece.

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India paid a heavy price for their careless fielding and for leaving the run chase too late. Between 7.4 and the end of the 14th over, only two fours were hit; Harmanpreet's first boundary came on the 15th ball. India's lack of initiative caused the asking rate to soar past 10 per over and 53 from the final five overs, but two fours in the 16th over, from Deepti and Harmanpreet, did raise some hopes, if only briefly.

Australia have won all four of their games to top the group and will advance into the semifinals with ease. On the other hand, New Zealand must defeat Pakistan on Monday in order to advance to the round of four stage. If New Zealand wins, they will advance to the final four ahead of India, who currently has a higher Net Run Rate but the same number of points.

[With PTI Inputs]