London: India posted a challenging total of 170/4 against Australia in a crucial Group A encounter of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at Lord's on Sunday, thanks to a captain's knock from Harmanpreet Kaur and an impressive opening stand from Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma.

With a place in the semi-finals on the line, Harmanpreet won the toss and chose to bat on a surface that offered plenty of runs. India's opening pair made the most of the conditions, providing a brisk start and putting Australia's bowlers under pressure during the Powerplay.

Shafali Verma was the more aggressive of the two, striking cleanly and clearing the ropes against Ash Gardner, while Smriti Mandhana anchored the innings with fluent strokeplay. India reached 43 without loss after six overs before extending the opening partnership to 74.

Australia finally broke through in the ninth over when Sophie Molineux dismissed Shafali for a well-made 34. Mandhana added 38 before being run out in the 12th over, leaving India at a crucial stage of the innings.

Captain Harmanpreet then took charge alongside Jemimah Rodrigues, rebuilding the innings with a composed partnership before accelerating in the closing overs. The pair rotated the strike smartly and punished loose deliveries, ensuring India maintained momentum despite Australia's disciplined bowling.

Rodrigues contributed a valuable unbeaten 34 off 28 balls before retiring hurt, while Harmanpreet shifted gears spectacularly at the death.

The India skipper smashed three consecutive sixes in the final over before being dismissed off the penultimate delivery. Her explosive 56 came off just 27 balls and included six boundaries and three sixes.

Deepti Sharma capped off the innings by hitting a boundary off the only delivery she faced as India collected 23 runs from the final over to finish on 170/4 in their allotted 20 overs.

The match is a virtual knockout for India after South Africa's victory over Bangladesh earlier in the day. A win over unbeaten Australia would secure India's place in the Women's T20 World Cup semi-finals.