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Harmanpreet Kaur for India - (Source: ScreenGrab/X.com)
On Sunday, India women locked horns against Australia for the last group-stage match of Women's T20 World Cup 2026. It is a do-or-die match for the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side because the semi-final qualification is on line.
Notably, India are placed 3rd on the table with 6 points in four matches. They need a win over Australia to topple South Africa and qualify for the semis. However, a defeat would send them home.
India Women vs Australia Women: Toss Report
For the toss, two captains - Harmanpreet Kaur and Sophie Molineux walked down the middle for the coin flip. The luck favoured India captain who won the toss and opted to bat first.
Talking about the team changes, Nandani Sharma sits out as Kranti Gaud replaces her for the all-important match. For Australia, Phoebe Litchfield is back in the team.
India Women vs Australia Women: Playing XIs
Australia Women Playing XI: Beth Mooney (wk), Georgia Voll, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Nicola Carey, Sophie Molineux (c), Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton
Also Read: Australia Players Who Can Push India To Women's T20 World Cup Elimination
India Women Playing XI: Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Shree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh Thakur
India Women vs Australia Women: Captains Thoughts
Harmanpreet Kaur (India Women Captain): "We are going to bat first. I think it's a very important game for us. We want to just bat freely and set a good total on the board.
[Changes and reason behind them?] We have one change. Kranti is back in the side in place of Nandani Sharma. I think Kranti is bowling really well. This wicket suits her and we thought let's bring her back.
Sophie Molineux (Australia Women Captain): "(Would she have batted first as well?) No, we were actually looking to bowl first. So, it worked out well for us.
(Changes?) Yeah, Phoebs (Phoebe Litchfield) is back in the side. Alana King is missing out. Well, it's just conditions and matchups basically. King has bowled really well in this tournament. She can still play a massive role for us moving forward. Excited to have Phoebs back in the side.
Why Did India Bench Nandani Sharma?
The 24-year-old is not having the desired tournament. The right-arm seamer has played 3 matches so far and picked up just three wickets to her name. More than not picking up enough wickets, her 8.69 economy rate has bothered India.
Further, Kranti Gaud holds more experience, but she too hasn't had the best of tournaments so far. Gaud has played two matches and is yet to take a solitary scalp. Notably, the 22-year-old too has gave away runs at an economy of 8.00.
Also Read: IND-W vs AUS-W Head To Head Records- Match 30, Women's T20 World Cup 2026
