By Mahadev Desai

Only eight months ago, the India Women’s Cricket Team lifted their historic first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup Trophy (2025). Yet, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup continues to remain out of reach.
The 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, hosted by the England & Wales Cricket Board, was played from June to 5 July 2026. A total of 12 teams competed in 33 matches across seven venues in England.

Teams

Group A
Australia
Bangladesh
India
Netherlands
Pakistan
South Africa

Group B
England
Ireland
New Zealand
Scotland
Sri Lanka
West Indies

India’s Group Stage Matches
June 12 – India 170/6 def. Pakistan 106 India won by 64 runs Player of the Match: Deepti Sharma
June 17 – India 209/5 def. Netherlands 114 India won by 95 runs Player of the Match: Deepti Sharma
June 21 – India 158/7 lost to South Africa 161/4 South Africa won by 6 wickets
June 25 – India 139/5 def. Bangladesh 136/8 India won by 5 wickets Player of the Match: Shafali Verma
June 28 – India 170/4 lost to Australia 172/4 Australia won by 6 wickets
Despite strong performances, India failed to qualify for the semi-finals after their crucial loss to Australia.
India vs Australia: The Decisive Match
The match was played before a packed crowd at Lord’s on Sunday, June 28. India captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and elected to bat.
Openers Smriti Mandhana (38) and Shafali Verma (34) provided a solid start. India reached 74/1 after 10 overs, but Mandhana was run out in the 12th over. Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues then steadied the innings, scoring at about seven runs per over. Rodrigues retired out on 34.
India added an impressive 23 runs in the final over. Harmanpreet’s gritty 56, which included three consecutive sixes, ended when she was dismissed by Molineux. Deepti Sharma struck a boundary, and India finished at 170/4.
Australia’s Chase
India started well with Renuka Singh trapping Georgia Voll lbw for 4 in the first over. Deepti Sharma removed Beth Mooney (22), and Sree Charani dismissed Phoebe Litchfield (24).
However, Australia’s experienced duo Ellyse Perry (56) and Ashleigh Gardner (53)* built a calm, controlled partnership of 109 runs off 87 balls, guiding Australia to a six wicket victory.
The Final
Australia went on to win the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, defeating England at Lord’s on Sunday, July 5.
England: 150/4
Australia: 153/3 Australia won by 7 wickets
Australia’s wicketkeeper batter Beth Mooney was named Player of the Match and also received the Player of the Tournament award.