Women's T20 World Cup 2026: 'Seems like it would be a virtual quarterfinal' - Aakash Chopra on India's clash against Australia

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that India Women's final group stage clash in the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup against Australia at Lord's will be a virtual quarterfinal after their six-wicket loss to South Africa Women at Old Trafford.

India suffered their first loss of the campaign after beating Pakistan and the Netherlands in their first two games, and now need wins against Bangladesh and the dominant Aussies if they are to make the semi-finals of the tournament. Chopra opined that since South Africa has two easier fixtures remaining, India's match against Australia becomes a do-or-die clash.

"Where are India standing now? I am saying it would be a virtual quarterfinal because South Africa have two easy games, and I feel they would win those matches. Australia will keep winning their matches. It seems like they are head and shoulders above the rest. So if South Africa win their remaining games, we also win the one match in between, and assuming Australia don't lose to Pakistan, if India win the match against Australia, they have chances to progress, or else they would be done. So it seems like it would be a virtual quarterfinal. Beat Australia at Lord's and make a place in the semifinals," Chopra said, speaking on his YouTube channel.

Batting first after winning the toss, India were unable to convert a fast start into a big score, finishing at 158 for 7 in their 20 overs. Chopra added that India could have been in a better position in the game if they had capitalised on the fast start. He singled out Shafali Verma, who scored 31 off just 15 balls, for her fireworks at the top and N Shree Charani for the early double-wicket maiden in the powerplay, which also included the wicket of Proteas skipper Laura Wolvaardt.

"India decided to bat first after winning the toss, and the start was explosive. We reached 50 very quickly and nearly 100 in 12 overs, but then we couldn't even touch 160. We lost wickets at regular intervals. This match might have been in your grasp had you scored 10 or 15 more runs. Not even one Indian batter scored a fifty, in which Shafali Verma was absolutely outstanding at the start. After that, in bowling, we had grabbed them in the Powerplay. Sree Charani bowled a double-wicket maiden, which included Laura Wolvaardt's wicket," Chopra elaborated.

Despite South Africa finding themselves at 25 for 2 in the final over of the powerplay, Marizanne Kapp scored an unbeaten 81 off just 45 balls to guide them home. Chopra praised the all-rounder for single-handedly taking the Proteas home in the clash.

"However, after that, Marizanne Kapp's storm came, and she won the game single-handedly. If the entire team scores 161 and someone scores 81 out of that, I mean more than 50 percent runs were scored by a batter who didn't open, you doff your hat and say that, Marizanne Kapp, you are an outstanding cricketer," he observed.

India take on Bangladesh at Old Trafford on June 25 before their much-awaited clash against Australia at Lord's on June 28. They sit on four points from three matches, having picked up two wins prior to their loss against South Africa.