India’s chances of reaching the semifinals of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 took a serious hit after Harmanpreet Kaur‘s side lost to South Africa in Manchester on Sunday.Marizanne Kapp’s unbeaten 81 off 45 balls guided 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 the target of 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 advancing to the semifinals. South Africa have already lost to Australia. India’s hopes of adding a Women’s T20 World Cup title to the ODI World Cup they won last November will now depend heavily on their final group-stage matches, including a clash against Australia at a sold-out Lord’s next Sunday.
How can India qualify for semis?
India have four points from three matches and still have two group games left — against Bangladesh on June 25 and Australia on June 28.They remain second in Group A on Net Run Rate but are level on points with South Africa and Bangladesh.To secure a semifinal spot, India will likely need to win both remaining matches. If they do so, they are expected to qualify even if South Africa win both of their remaining games because India’s Net Run Rate of 2.511 is much better than South Africa’s -0.546.If India lose either of their remaining matches, their qualification hopes will depend on South Africa’s results against Bangladesh and the Netherlands. If South Africa win both those matches and India lose one of theirs, the Proteas will move ahead on points and qualify.Bangladesh also remain in contention. They still have matches against India and South Africa, and they will qualify if they win both games.Australia are in the strongest position. A win against either Pakistan or India in their remaining group matches should be enough to seal a semifinal berth.Pakistan and the Netherlands have already been eliminated from Group A.
Group B scenario
The winner of the England-West Indies match on Wednesday will secure a semifinal place.The losing team may still need to win its final group match, depending on other results. Two wins from the remaining games would guarantee top spot in the group for either England or West Indies.New Zealand, Scotland and Sri Lanka all need to win both of their remaining matches to stay in contention. Even then, they would need either England or West Indies to lose both of their remaining games to have a chance of progressing.Ireland have been eliminated from the tournament.
