Women’s T20 World Cup: India qualifies for third consecutive semifinal, set to face Australia in final 4

Harmanpreet Kaur-led India certified for the semifinal of the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup after it pipped Ireland by 5 runs on Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) technique in Gqeberha on Monday.

After opting to bat first in a must-win conflict, India posted 155 for six on the again of opener Smriti Mandhana’s 56-ball 87.

Ireland acquired its chase off to a horrendous begin with opener Amy Hunter falling run out on the primary supply of the chase. Seamer Renuka Thakur then added one other wicket within the over as she dismissed Orla Prendergast for a duck. However, a fast partnership between Gaby Lewis and captain Laura Delany propelled Ireland to 54 for 2 in 8.2 overs earlier than rain stopped play. Ireland fell simply wanting the DLS-par rating as India scraped by with two factors to seal a semifinal spot with six factors from 4 matches, behind England from Group 2.

This is the third consecutive time that India has reached the final 4 beneath Harmanpreet’s management. Having taken over the reins from Mithali Raj earlier than the 2018 version, Harmanpreet led India to the semifinal the place it fell earlier than England.

India then completed runner-up within the 2020 version held in Australia the place the host defeated the Women in Blue by a whopping 85-run margin. Australia, the five-time champion, vying for a 3rd consecutive title, has solely been crushed by India (twice) within the final three editions.

India has solely misplaced one in all its 12 league stage matches within the final three editions – a 11-run defeat to England on this version.

India, which has additionally reached the semifinals in 2009 and 2010, will face Australia within the semifinal on Thursday in Cape Town.