India vs Australia now decides the last open path in Group A. India must beat Australia on Sunday to reach the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals, while Australia can still advance even if they lose. Two spots in Group A remain up for grabs.
Harmanpreet Kaur and the chase
Harmanpreet Kaur’s side has to finish the job in the final group match. India opened with comprehensive wins over Pakistan by 64 runs and the Netherlands by 95 runs, then lost to South Africa by six wickets before beating Bangladesh by five wickets.
That leaves Sunday as the decisive test. For India, nothing short of a win will do. The route is simple, but the pressure is not: one result changes everything, and anything less leaves the semi-final door shut.
Australia’s net run rate edge
Australia arrive with four wins and the better net run rate. They started with a 65-run win over South Africa, then beat Bangladesh by nine wickets, the Netherlands by 98 runs and Pakistan by 113 runs.
That margin gives Australia room that India do not have. Even a loss on Sunday can still keep Australia in the race because net run rate sits behind their four wins and protects them if the standings end level after the final group match.
Group A reaches the finish
The rest of Group A has already narrowed the field. England became the first team to seal a semi-final berth after a 38-run victory over West Indies on Wednesday, and West Indies moved through after New Zealand failed to capitalise on Ireland's historic win over the West Indies. South Africa also won their game against Bangladesh, keeping the last round alive until India and Australia meet.
That is the point of Sunday: two spots remain, one match settles the final semi-final places, and the standings can still split on net run rate if India do not take the direct route. For Harmanpreet Kaur, the equation is plain — beat Australia, or wait on mathematics that may not bend India’s way.
