India vs Australia Live Score, T20 World Cup Semi Final: India Lose By 5 Runs
India Women vs Australia Women Live Score, T20 World Cup 2023: Australia conceded just 33 runs in the last 5 overs.
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India suffered a five-run defeat against Australia the semi-final of ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023.
Chasing a target of 173 runs, India could only score 167/8.
Harmanpreet Kaur was India's best batter, scoring a 34-ball 52.
Australia scored 172/4 after batting first.
Beth Mooney struck a half-century, whilst skipper Meg Lanning remained unbeaten on 49.
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India vs Australia: Uphill Climb Awaits For India
The ICC Women's T20 World Cup has been organised seven times prior to the ongoing edition, and Australia have emerged victoriously, with the shimmering trophy, on five of those occasions. Needless to say, the challenge India will face in today's semi-final at Newlands, Cape Town, will be more belligerent than anything they have faced so far in this competition.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s girls have won all but one match in their group-stage campaign, with an 11-run defeat against England being the only deterrent. However, they did have moments of anxious uncertainty against Pakistan and Ireland.
Australia, however, is the most intimidating team in women’s cricket, and that too, by a mile and a half. They have not only won all of their four group-stage games, but did so with exceptional ease, as absolutely no one could offer any resilience.
That will be India’s primary objective today – to show resilience, and make Meg Lanning’s team work incredibly hard for every run they score, and every wicket they take.
India will miss speedster Pooja Vastrakar with illness, whilst Sneh Rana has been called up as her replacement. In Smriti Mandhana, who is currently the second-highest run-scorer of the competition, and Renuka Thakur, who is sixth on the list of leading wicket-takers, Kaur will have plenty of match-winners to rely on. Working cohesively as a unit is what India will be looking forward to in this game.
India vs Australia: Aussies To Bat First
We have both good and bad news from the centre!
First things first, Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has shaken off illness and will be featuring in the match, hence handing her team a significant boost even before the first ball is bowled.
The flip of the coin, however, has gone Australia's way. Meg Lanning won the toss and has opted to bat first.
India have made one tactical change to their team, with Yastika Bhatia replacing Devika Vaidya. Explaining the decision, Kaur said "One thing that we have been discussing throughout the tournament that we have to bat well that's why we added one more batter. One more change: Yastika comes in for Devika."
Besides that, Radha Yadav and Sneh Rana have replaced Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Pooja Vastrakar respectively.
Australia, on a similar note, have also made changes - not one but two. Jess Jonassen and Alyssa Healy return, with Alana King and Annabel Sutherland making way.
India vs Australia: Playing XIs
India Playing XI: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Yastika Bhatia, Sneh Rana, Shikha Pandey, Radha Yadav, Renuka Thakur Singh.
Australia Playing XI: Alyssa Healy (wk), Beth Mooney, Meg Lanning (c), Ashleigh Gardner, Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath, Grace Harris, Georgia Wareham, Jess Jonassen, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown.
India vs Australia: Six Runs In Over 1
Brilliant start from Australia as the woman for big stages, Alyssa Healy struck a boundary off the very first over. Renuka Singh, however, deserves praise for pulling this back after the first delivery and conceding just two runs off the next five.
Australia are 6/0 after 1 over.
India vs Australia: Mooney Gets Into The Act
After Alyssa Healy, it is now Beth Mooney's turn to strike her first boundary of the game, as she dispatches a Deepti Sharma delivery on the other side of the advertisement ropes.
Australia are 14/0 after 2 overs.
India vs Australia: A Boundary Every Over
Like her first over, Renuka Singh's second over started with a boundary off Alyssa Healy's ball. The next five deliveries, although, produced all but three runs.
Australia are 21/0 after three overs.
India vs Australia: Good Over From Deepti
This is a good over from the Indian perspective. Deepti Sharma might have started her second over with a freebie which yielded four runs, but the next five deliveries were right on the money, conceding only a solitary run.
Australia are 26/0 after four overs.
India vs Australia: Only 5 From Shikha's Over
Shikha Pandey has had a decent start with the ball, maintaining her line and length and not allowing the Aussie opening pair any room to work with. Only five runs comes from her maiden over.
Australia are 31/0 after five overs.
India vs Australia: Momentum Back With The Aussies
Big over from Australia!
Beth Mooney danced down the track to score a maximum off Deepti Sharma's bowling, whilst Healy also did well to pierce a shot between two fielders and run a triple.
Australia are 43/0 after 6 overs.
India vs Australia: Shikha Doing a Fine Job For India
From what we have seen so far, Shikha Pandey has been India's best bowler. Both Mooney and Healy struggled to get going in his second over as well, scoring only a combined four runs.
India are 47/0 after 7 overs.
India vs Australia: Healy Departs
HUGE WICKET!
Radha Yadav, who came into the team in Rajeshwari Gayakwad's place, has provided India with the crucial breakthrough in only her first over. Alyssa Healy danced down the track and had a wild swing, but the ball stayed low and Richa Ghosh has an easy stumping.
Australia are 54/1 after 8 overs.
India vs Australia: Lanning Dropped By Richa
DROPPED! Oh dear, Richa Ghosh would not want to see replays of this one.
Australian skipper Meg Lanning edged a Sneh Rana delivery, but Richa could not capitalise on it, as the catch went down. Other than that, it was a good over from the Indian perspective, yielding only five runs.
Australia are 59/1 after 9 overs.
India vs Australia: Another Chance Goes Begging
The Indian camp will not be happy with what they are seeing, as two big chances go begging in the semi-final. This time, Beth Mooney survives a scare as she finds Shafali Verma on the boundary, who could not hold on to what should have been a comfortable grab.
At the half-way stage of the innings, Australia are 69/1.
India vs Australia: Aussies Switching Gears
Now then, India will need to be at their most disciplined at this stage of the game, for the Aussies have decided to switch gears. Sneh Rana's second over yields nine runs, including a four off Mooney's willow.
Australia are 78/1 after 11 overs.
India vs Australia: Mooney Brings Up Fifty, Then Departs
Quite an eventful 12th over of the game!
It started off with two consecutive boundaries from Mooney's bat, which helped her bring up a well-deserved half-century. However, Shikha Pandey had a last laugh as the Aussie opener then gave Shafali Verma a simple catch, who redeems herself this time around.
Australia are 89/2 after 12 overs.
India vs Australia: Lanning Survives Again
Another missed stumping opportunity! Meg Lanning has fortune smiling bright on her today as after having a catch dropped by Richa, she survives a stumping scare.
Richa is all but a tad slow in grabbing the ball and dislodging the bails, as by the time she did that, Lanning had returned to the crease.
Australia are 94/2 after 13 overs.
India vs Australia: 5 Off Radha's Over
The Indian spinners have done a fairly decent job in this match so far. Radha Yadav concedes only five runs in her third over, as Australia are now 99/2 after 14 overs.
India vs Australia: Big Over For Australia
Just when the Indian spinners were looking dominant, Meg Lanning and Ashleigh Gardner have come out all guns blazing. Sneh Rana's third over produced 14 runs, including three boundaries.
Australia are 113/2 after 15 overs.
India vs Australia: Gardner On Fire
Ominous signs for India!
Gardner and Lanning are now looking to deal predominantly in boundaries, as the Indian bowlers are getting dispatched to all parts of the ground. Radha Yadav ends her spell with a 13-run last over.
Australia are 126/2 after 16 overs.
India vs Australia: Australia On Course For Big Finish
Oh dear, another bit of poor fielding from women in blue! There's a mix up between Lanning and Gardner but Jemimah Rodrigues could not capitalise on it as the throw comes at the wrong end.
Australia are 137/2 after 17 overs.
India vs Australia: Gardner Departs
Brilliant over from Deepti Sharma! This is just what the Indians needed - the wicket of Ashleigh Gardner in the 18th over of the match. The explosive batter is clean bowled by the all-rounder, as the over produces only five runs.
Australia are 142/3 after 18 overs.
India vs Australia: Harris Out, Australia Cross 150
Shikha Pandey has another wicket to her name, as her slower delivery cleaned up Grace Harris, but Australia would not mind that at this stage of the game, with the over producing 12 runs.
Australia are 154/4 with one over remaining in the innings.
India vs Australia: Excellent Finish For Australia
Excellent last over for Australia, as skipper Meg Lanning leads from the front. Renuka Singh Thakur's length is all over the place as Lanning strikes two sixes and a four. 18 runs came from the last over of the match as Australia scored 172/4.
The target of 173 will be a tall climb, but India have some talented batters in their arsenal. The run chase should be enthralling and we will be bringing you live updates. Don't go anywhere, action resumes soon!
India vs Australia: 10 Runs From First Over
Brilliant start from the Indians. Lanning turned to Ashleigh Gardner for the first over, perhaps owing to Smriti Mandhana's record against off-spinners, but it is Shafali Verma who is doing most of the scoring.
India are 10/0 after 1 over.
India vs Australia: Shafali Departs Early
Huge wicket for the Aussies!
Shafali Verma, who looked in sublime touch in the first over, has to depart much earlier than she would have liked to as Megan Schutt traps her leg before wicket. Yastika Bhatia is the next batter in for Kaur's team, and she starts off with a brilliant boundary down the ground.
India are 15/1 after 2 overs.
India vs Australia: Jemimah Starts Off Well After Mandhana's Wicket
Another wicket! Australia are on a roll here in Newlands, Cape Town.
Ashleigh Gardner's delivery crashed into the pads of Smriti Mandhana, who was initially given not out, but a successful DRS appeal made the umpire overturn her decision. New batter, Jemimah Rodrigues had a great start though, scoring 10 runs off her first 4 deliveries.
India are 25/2 after 3 overs.
India vs Australia: Third Wicket Falls
Dear, oh dear! Another wicket falls, and for this, Australia have not had to work hard.
There is a mix-up between Yastika Bhatia and Jemimah Rodrigues, leading to the downfall of the former. India are now 33/3 after 4 overs, with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur out on the crease.
India vs Australia: Big Over For India
Brilliant over from the Indian perspective. Ellyse Perry gets her line and length all over the place, and the Rodrigues-Kaur pair is there to capitalise on that, scoring 14 runs in the process.
India are 47/3 after five overs.
India vs Australia: Kaur, Rodrigues Propel India Forward
Whilst they might have lost three wickets in the powerplay, India will be satisfied with their scoring rate as Jess Jonassen's first over yields 12 runs.
India are 59/3 after six overs.
India vs Australia: Six Singles
Alright, we have a bit of calmness for the first time in a while. Leg-spinner Georgia Wareham's first over is not particularly eventful as it produces all but six singles.
India are 65/3 after 7 overs.
India vs Australia: Schutt Concedes 9 Runs
Yet another good over from India. Megan Schutt is recalled into the attack by skipper Lanning, but the move did not produce the desired result as Rodrigues and Kaur managed to add nine more runs to India's tally.
India are 74/3 after 8 overs.
India vs Australia: 50-Run Stand Between Kaur And Rodrigues
Momentum has switched back in India's favour, as the onus is now on Australia to break the 50-run stand between Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues.
India are 80/3 after 9 overs.
India vs Australia: Brilliant Batting From Indians
This is excellent batting from Jemimah Rodrigues, and it certainly is taking the game away from Australia's grasp. The youngster strikes two boundaries off Georgia Wareham's bowling in the 10th over.
Halfway through the chase, India are 93/3.
India vs Australia: Jemimah Departs After Scoring 43
This could be a game-defining moment! Just when Australia were in desperate need of a breakthrough, Darcie Brown obliged her Jemimah Rodrigues edged her bouncer straight into the safe pair of hands of Alyssa Healy.
India are 98/4 after 11 overs.
India vs Australia: 100 Up For India
Another decent over from India. Richa Ghosh frees the shackles and starts playing her usual game, which subsequently helps India breach the 100-run mark.
India are 107/4 after 12 overs.
India vs Australia: New Life For Kaur
India dropped quiet a few dollies when they were fielding, but we are at an equilibrium now as Australia have returned the favour. Harmanpreet Kaur edged a Darcie Brown delivery, but wicket-keeper Alyssa Healy could not hold on to the ball.
India are 111/4 after 13 overs.
India vs Australia: Kaur Survives Again
Another scare, another survival! Harmanpreet Kaur is living her life on the edge, but she is still hanging around to take her team over the line. This time, the Indian skipper nicks a Tahlia McGrath delivery, but Healy drops yet another catch.
India are 124/4 after 14 overs.
India vs Australia: Kaur Departs, Australia Back in The Hunt
Oh no, what has happened here? Harmanpreet Kaur was looking in ominous touch, struck consecutive boundaries off Georgia Wareham's bowling to bring up a splendid half-century, but now has to depart for the dressing room.
She tries to run a couple which should have been completed comfortably, but her bat gets struck in the crease as Alyssa Healy inflicts a run out. Australia are right back in the hunt.
India are 134/5 after 15 overs.
India vs Australia: Richa Ghosh Out
Clutch. That is the word to describe the over Darcie Brown has just bowled, for she has certainly turned the game on its head. Only 1 run came off it, alongside the crucial wicket of Richa Ghosh. Trying to hit a six, the wicketkeeper found Tahlia McGrath at wide long-on.
India are 135/6 after 16 overs.
India vs Australia: 7 Runs From Gardner's Over
Jitters. Butterflies. Nerves. Call it whatever you like, and every single player out on the ground will be feeling it now, as the match hangs in perfect balance. Ashleigh Gardner's over produces 7 runs, including a pressure-relieving boundary from Deepti Sharma.
India are 142/6 after 17 overs.
India vs Australia: Rana Relieves Pressure
Brilliant from Sneh Rana! It is only because of Pooja Vastrakar's injury that she is in the team, but is she not utilising the chance in the perfect manner? The all-rounder strikes a sublime boundary off Megan Schutt's last over.
India are 153/6.
India vs Australia: Advantage Australia
Ellyse Perry, at her athletic best, puts in a dive and a half to save two crucial runs for the Aussies. Credit should also be given to Jess Jonassen for the excellent penultimate over that she has bowled, which yielded just 4 runs and also a vital wicket - that of Sneh Rana. Had this been a tennis match, we would call this situation Advantage Australia.
India are 157/7, needing 16 off the last over.
India vs Australia: Last Over
Now then, 16 runs in 6 balls. Here we go:
Ball 1: 2 runs.
Ball 2: 2 runs again. 12 from 4 now.
Ball 3: Just the single. 11 from 3 required.
Ball 4: WICKET! Australia are almost there. Radha Yadav departs. 11 needed from 2 now.
Ball 5: SINGLE! That's it, unless there is a freebie. Australia have done it yet again. 10 needed from the last ball.
Ball 6: FOUR, but it does not matter. Australia are into the final.
India vs Australia: Australia Win By 5 Runs
Heartbreaking, to say the absolute least. The Indian team produced a show, and it was a show worth watching. But ultimately, Australia came up trumps, as they so often do in the biggest of stages.
The game was in India's grasp, until it wasn't anymore. If only Jemimah Rodrigues left a beamer that was going for a wide, if only Harmanpreet Kaur's bat did not get stuck into the pitch, if only Richa Ghosh showed a bit of patience and stuck till the end, perhaps the result could have been different.
But cricket does not have room for 'if onlys', and Australia are not a team who let mistakes go begging. What a display this has been from Meg Lanning's team.
Jess Jonassen conceded just four runs in the penultimate over, whilst India's last over produced 18 runs. Darcie Brown conceded just a solitary run in the 16th over, while India dropped quite a few chances. Ultimately, the errors out-weighed the resilience, which was certainly in abundance, as India's campaign here in South Africa ends on an agonizing note.