India was beaten by Australia in their final group game by nine runs at the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 on Sunday. Following their defeat to the Kangaroos, India's path to the semifinals has become increasingly complicated and challenging. India have now ended their Group A campaign on four points after two wins and two losses.
The women in blue now face a complex scenario in which their qualifications depend on the outcome of the match between Pakistan and New Zealand.
India and New Zealand are currently tied on four points with India ahead in terms of net run rate (NRR). But the Kiwis still have a game in hand. With the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals, India's net run rate becomes a crucial factor.
A win for Pakistan over New Zealand, coupled with a favourable net run rate for India, could see the Indian team advance to the semifinals.
But if the White Ferns do win, even by a small margin, then New Zealand will go through to the next round and India's journey in the tournament will end.
As of now, India's NRR is above New Zealand's because it crossed 139. Australia have won four out of four and qualified for the semis.
Meanwhile, after opting to bat, Australia were restricted to 151/8 with opener Grace Harris top-scoring with 40 off 41 balls. Stand-in captain Tahlia McGrath and Ellyse Perry chipped in with 32 each. For India, Renuka Singh and Deepti Sharma took two wickets apiece while Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav and Shreyanka Patil got one each.
But India ultimately faltered in the run-chase and lost the game by nine runs, despite skipper Harmanpreet Kaur smashing an unbeaten fifty.