India’s chances of reaching the semifinals of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 took a major hit after that. Harmanpreet KaurThe team lost to South Africa in Manchester on Sunday.Marizanne Kapp’s unbeaten 81 off 45 balls led South Africa to a six-wicket win and kept their semifinal hopes alive.Batting first, India scored 158 for seven. In reply, South Africa chased down 159 in 19.1 overs, helped by Kapp’s innings and Tazmin Brits’ 40 off 36 balls.Both teams are in the same group as unbeaten Australia, with only two teams progressing to the semifinals. South Africa has already lost to Australia. India’s hopes of adding the Women’s T20 World Cup title to the ODI World Cup they won last November will now depend heavily on their final group game, including against Australia in a sell-out match next Sunday.
How can India qualify for the semis?
India have four points from three matches and still have two group matches – against Bangladesh on June 25 and Australia on June 28.They remain second in Group A in terms of Net Run Rate but are level with South Africa and Bangladesh.To secure the final spot, India would need to win both the matches. If they do, they are expected to qualify even if South Africa win both their remaining matches as India’s Net Run Rate of 2.511 is better than South Africa’s -0.546.If India lose their remaining matches, their hopes will depend on South Africa’s results against Bangladesh and the Netherlands. If South Africa win both the matches and India lose one of their matches, the Proteas will go ahead on points and get a good result.Bangladesh will remain in contention. They still have matches against India and South Africa, and will qualify if they win both matches.Australia is in a very strong position. Success against Pakistan or India in their remaining group games should be enough to seal a place in the finals.Pakistan and the Netherlands have already been eliminated from Group A.
Group B events
The winners of the England-West Indies match on Wednesday will secure a place in the final.The losing team may still need to win their finals, depending on other results. Two wins in the remaining matches would see them top of the table for either England or the West Indies.New Zealand, Scotland and Sri Lanka all need to win both of their matches to stay in the tournament. Even then, they will need either England or the West Indies to lose all their remaining games to have any chance of progressing.Ireland have been eliminated from the tournament.