IND-W vs AUS-W Women's T20 World Cup Semi-final Highlights: India knocked out, go down to AUS by 5 runs

The best for a reason, Australia have done it once again and it seemed like a cakewalk for them at the end. Harmapreet Kaur's unfortunate dismissal gave Australia the sniff they needed and they choked the life out of India. The women in blue looked in complete control of the chase but they somehow lost the plot in the final overs. Australia have now booked a berth for themselves in the final and for India, it is all over as far as this World Cup is considered.
With a heavy heart, that's it for today from India TV Sports Desk, we are equally disappointed, but please do make sure that your criticism is constructive. Irrespective of whatever happens, we need to bleed blue and stick to our players.

Harmanpreet Kaur nd Richa Ghosh's dismissal opened the floodgates for the Australian cricket team. They are on and they want to suffocate India for every run. Can Rana and Sharma chase this down?

Harmanpreet Kaur was brilliant in this run chase. She scored a very gritty 50 and ensured that India stays alive in the contest. She falls to an unfortunate incident as her bat got stuck just before the crease

Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has been very patient and has batted sensibly. She is joined by wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh who is rotating the strike brilliantly. The required rate is piling up, but all India need is one good over and the pressure will be on the Aussies.

Jemimah, o Jemimah, what have you done? the youngster was looking good and was all set to guide India home. She fell prey to Darcie Brown's slower bouncer and edged one to Alyssa Healy. Australia are sniffing victory here. India need to take the game deep

India have recovered well and they mean business. Just like the CWG finals last year, Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues have toiled hard for the runs and have kept India in the hunt

The powerplay has been an eventful one, for both the teams to be honest. India have registered a total of 59 at the end of the powerplay but they have lost 3 wickets. Australia have been fantastic with the ball but India have been on the charge and have shown a lot of intent

The run chase is getting worse for the Indian cricket team. Yastika comes down the track and flicks the ball to the mid-wicket region. Calls Rodrigues for a quick single and courtesy of a terrible mix-up, Bhatia has to walk back to the dressing room

Australia have surely dented India by dismissing their openers cheaply but Rodrigues and Bhatia have come out with some intent. They are taking on the Australian bowlers

Mandhana and Verma had started with a positive intent but both of them have been dismissed under a span of 2 overs. Australia landed the first blow on India as Meghan Schutt dismissed Verma and Gardner later followed it by dismissing Mandhana. Interestingly DRS calls were made for both dismissals but they have gone against the 'Women in Bluw'

India require 173 runs to win and qualify for the finals. They have a challenging task ahead of them, but let us not forget that India have the likes of Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and Harmanpreet Kaur in their team. India will fancy their chances but it all boils down to their openers

Well, get 173 and play the final. The equation is pretty simple for India. Some sloppy fielding and poor bowling has resulted in this target for India. All is not lost though. India certainly have the batting firepower to chase this down. But, can they? Can they hold their nerves? 

Stay Tuned! Jishu will take you through the Indian innings from here. 

This is Kartik Mehindru, signing off, hoping to see you in the finals.

Well, it is coming in a bit late, but India are really chipping in with wickets here. Looking for a strong finish with the ball now. Australia won't be happy with anything less than 165. 

There, that's how it's done. Gardner was looking to go after every ball and Deepti Sharm has foxed here with a pitch-perfect yorker. Great wicket this, for India. Can really make a difference of about 10-15 or even more runs.

Well, this isn't looking good for India. Australia are having fun out there, hitting boundaries for fun. Kaur & Co. are looking for a steep chase, and they will have to play out of their skin to win from here. 

Finally! There it is. India send back Mooney. Big breakthrough this. Can they continue with this and stop Australia to a chasable target? Let's find out.

Well, India are just going through the motions here. The scoreboard is constantly ticking for the Australians and Harmanpreet Kaur and co. are looking to chase anything between 160-180 here. A huge chase is coming up for India if they are not careful here. Can still pull things back though. 

Well, as I type this, Beth Mooney has just got to here fifty in just 34 deliveries. Magnificent knock this.

Really? What just happened there? Radha Yadav did everything right and Mooney fell right into the trap. She gave a straightforward chance to Verma at long off, but the catch has been dropped. Can't win a semifinal like this for sure. Just can't!

The average 1st innings score at this venue is 129, but mind you, this is a fresh pitch. India may have just got a wicket here, but they haven't let Australia run away with the game. They need to be better on the field though.

Well, Australia were on the attack here, and India have sent back Healy at just the right time. Big wicket this, and India would feel they have an opening here. Can they capitalise? 

43 off the Powerplay for Australia and they would be pretty happy with that. India haven't let them get away with the game though. Interesting passage of play coming up. 

Deepti almost caught Healy LBW, but the ball just brushed the glove before crashing onto the pads. India lose a review. 

Aussies attacked a bit and are playing sensible gameplay. 

Well, the Australians have started off the way everyone expected them to. Fast and hard. India need to be careful here not to leak many runs upfront. 

Alyssa Healy(w), Beth Mooney, Meg Lanning(c), Ashleigh Gardner, Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath, Grace Harris, Georgia Wareham, Jess Jonassen, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown

Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Richa Ghosh(w), Deepti Sharma, Yastika Bhatia, Sneh Rana, Shikha Pandey, Radha Yadav, Renuka Thakur Singh

Australian skipper Meg lanning won the toss and has elected to bat first. Fortunately for India, Harmanpreet Kaur has recovered and will play. Sneh Rana comes in for Pooja Vastrakar. Radha Yadav has replaced Rajeshwari Gaikwad

We are under an hour away from the action to begin and India have reached the venue to take on the mighty Aussies.

Visuals of Team India:

Meanwhile, ahead of the big clash, India are facing injury issues. While Pooja Vastrakar has been ruled out of the semifinal, captain Harmanpreet Kaur is racing against time to be fit as she suffered a fever. Radha Yadav's fitness is also a concern. Fingers crossed.

India are once again staring at Australia in yet another ICC event knockout game. The Indian cricket team were the runners-up of the 2020 edition of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup. Any guess who they were facing? It was Australia. Meg Lanning's dominant Australian team who defeated them in the finals of the Commonwealth Games too. The 'women in blue' will be without their star all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar. This might be a disadvantage for them, but all they can do is brush it aside and give their best shot on the field.