India vs Australia Highlights Women's T20 World Cup 2024: Harmanpreet's fifty in vain as IND suffer loss; AUS in semis

India vs Australia Live Score Women's T20 World Cup 2024: India stormed into their first-ever T20 World Cup final in 2020 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a night filled with hope of securing the elusive title. However, Harmanpreet's side folded for 99 while chasing 185 against Australia. In the last edition of the T20 World Cup in 2022, India once again was on the cusp of making history, storming into the semi-finals. However, Australia proved to be a stumbling block in the final four, taking away India's hopes to enter the winners' list.

India vs Australia Live Score Women's T20 World Cup 2024: Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verama put up a 98-run opening stand to lay the foundation of India's emphatic 82-run win over Sri Lanka on Wednesday. In her 38-ball 50, Mandhana attacked the spinners, which is noteworthy since she typically relies on Shafali to handle tweakers.

India are stuck in a situation where they need to end Australia's 14-match unbeaten streak to book their berth in the final four phase of the competition. When India steps onto the ground to face the defending champions, the extra baggage of the past is always present on their shoulders. Australia have turned out to be India's worst nightmare in the past two editions of the marquee event.

India vs Australia Live Score Women's T20 World Cup 2024: Australian spinner Ash Gardner is hoping that every player in the team will perform in the fixture against Women in Blue. "Our focus is solely on India and whatever the team makeup is, I'm sure everyone that is in the XI will do a fantastic job," Ashley Gardner said.

Indian opener Shafali Verma said that the team's focus will be on net run rate in the upcoming match against the defending champions. "We all know that net run rate is going on and we keep playing it. And I think if you are playing in the Indian team, you don't need to tell us that you're below the NRR. Because everyone is very mature and everyone is seeing everything. So, I think it's not something to say. But of course, we have the NRR in our minds. And we'll keep a focus on it," Shafali Verma said as quoted by the ICC.

India vs Australia Live Score Women's T20 World Cup 2024: If India lose to Australia: This would leave India, with just four points at the end of their Group A campaign, desperately hoping for a Pakistan victory against New Zealand. They will be eliminated if Sophie Devine's side wins against Pakistan.

India vs Australia Live Score Women's T20 World Cup 2024: Indian top-order fired against Sri Lanka with half-centuries from Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana, while Shafali Verma also scored 43. It would be crucial for the Women in Blue that the top-order continues their form against a fierce Australian bowling attack.

India vs Australia Live Score Women's T20 World Cup 2024: Australia, with six points from three matches and an impressive net run rate of 2.786, have all but qualified for the semifinals, leaving India, New Zealand and Pakistan to fight out for the remaining spot.

India vs Australia Live Score Women's T20 World Cup 2024: If Alyssa Healy misses out, Australia will face the challenge of finding a new captain, wicketkeeper, and opening batter, significantly reshaping their lineup. Beth Mooney will take over the wicket-keeping duties. But vice-captain Tahlia McGrath, who is expected to lead the side against India, insists Australia are ready to call on their squad strength.

India vs Australia Live Score Women's T20 World Cup 2024: India, who are on 4 points, will need a win to keep their knockout aspirations alive as New Zealand have one more game in hand and can also reach a total of 6 points.

If that's the scenario, qualification will hinge on the net run rate. While India currently holds a 0.567 NRR, New Zealand (-0.050) could surpass Harmanpreet Kaur and Co. with substantial victories over the struggling Pakistan and Sri Lanka.