India Women vs Australia Virat Kohli and Cricket Stars Cheer India at Lords in Womens T20 World Cup

India Women vs Australia Virat Kohli and Cricket Stars Cheer India at Lords in Womens T20 World Cup

India delivered one of their finest batting performances of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, posting an impressive 170/4 against Australia in a must-win Group A clash at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground. The high-pressure contest attracted a host of Indian cricket legends, with Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma, Ravi Shastri, and Shikhar Dhawan present in the stands to cheer on the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side.

Backed by the passionate support of fans and cricket icons, India rose to the occasion with a fearless batting display, finishing the innings with a spectacular flourish to put the defending champions under immense pressure.

Brief Scores: India 170/4 in 20 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 56, Smriti Mandhana 38, Shafali Verma 34; Sophie Molineux 2/46) against Australia.

Star Presence Lights Up Lord's

The virtual quarter-final witnessed an electric atmosphere as several prominent names from Indian cricket turned up to support the women's team.

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma were among the biggest attractions inside the historic venue, while former India head coach Ravi Shastri and ex-opener Shikhar Dhawan also joined the crowd to witness one of the biggest matches of India's campaign.

Their presence reflected the growing popularity of women's cricket and highlighted the importance of the encounter, with a place in the semi-finals at stake.

Mandhana and Shafali Build A Solid Foundation

After winning the toss, India chose to bat first and started confidently through openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma.

The Australian pace attack struggled to make an early breakthrough as both batters settled into their innings before gradually increasing the scoring rate.

India reached 43 without loss during the Power-play before the opening partnership crossed 66 runs, giving the side the ideal platform in a knockout-like contest.

Shafali continued her aggressive form with a fluent 34 off 26 balls, including two sixes and three boundaries, before captain Sophie Molineux ended the partnership.

Mandhana anchored the innings beautifully, compiling 38 from 37 deliveries before an unfortunate mix-up with Jemimah Rodrigues resulted in a costly run-out.

Harmanpreet Delivers When India Needed Her Most

With India briefly losing momentum after two wickets, captain Harmanpreet Kaur once again showed why she is regarded as one of the world's finest T20 batters.

She rebuilt the innings patiently alongside Jemimah Rodrigues before launching an explosive assault during the death overs.

Harmanpreet's fearless stroke play completely shifted the momentum in India's favour. Facing Australian captain Sophie Molineux in the final over, she smashed three consecutive sixes to complete the fastest T20I half-century of her career in just 25 balls.

Her remarkable innings of 56 from only 27 deliveries, featuring six boundaries and three towering sixes, lifted India to an imposing total.

Although Harmanpreet fell immediately after reaching her milestone, the damage had already been inflicted.

India Finish Strong

India's finish was nothing short of sensational.

The team accumulated 36 runs in the final two overs, punishing Australia's bowling attack during the closing stages.

Jemimah Rodrigues contributed a valuable 34 off 28 balls before tactically retiring out to allow a fresh batter to maximise the final over.

Deepti Sharma then added the finishing touch by striking a boundary off the last ball of the innings, ensuring India finished strongly on 170/4.

Australia captain Sophie Molineux claimed two wickets but endured an expensive outing, conceding 46 runs from her four overs.

Semi Final Spot Within Reach

India's commanding batting effort has given them an excellent opportunity to secure qualification for the semi-finals.

Against one of the strongest teams in women's cricket, every member of the batting unit made meaningful contributions, but it was Harmanpreet Kaur's captain's knock that ultimately separated the two sides.

With cricket legends watching from the Lord's balcony and thousands of supporters behind them, India's bowlers now carry the responsibility of defending 170 runs. If they succeed, this memorable performance could become one of the defining moments of India's Women's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign and secure a famous victory over six-time champions Australia.