Women’s World T20 Cup: How India can still qualify for semis after defeat in South Africa – Explained

Harmanpreet Kaur bats during the Women’s World T20 match between India and South Africa at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP) India’s chances of reaching the semi-finals of the Women’s World T20 2026 took a serious hit after Harmanpreet Kaur’s team lost to South Africa in Manchester on Sunday.Marizanne Kapp’s unbeaten 81 off 45 balls steered South Africa to a six-wicket win and kept their semi-final hopes alive.Batting first, India score 158 for seven. In response, South Africa chased down a 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 undefeated Australia, only two teams advanced to the semi-finals. South Africa have 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 hinge heavily on their final group stage matches, including against Australia at a sold-out Lord’s next Sunday.

How can India qualify for the semi-finals?

India have four points from three matches and have two more group matches left — 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.India are likely to have to win both their remaining matches to secure a place in the semi-finals. If they do, they are expected to qualify even if South Africa win both their remaining games as India’s Net Run Rate of 2.511 is much better than South Africa’s -0.546.If India lose any of their remaining matches, their qualification hopes will hinge on South Africa’s results against Bangladesh and the Netherlands. If South Africa win both of these matches and India lose one of them, the Proteas will move ahead on points and qualify.Bangladesh also remains in contention. They still have matches against India and South Africa and will qualify if they win both matches.Australia is in the strongest position. A win against either Pakistan or India in their remaining group matches should be enough to seal a place in the semi-finals.Pakistan and Netherlands have already been eliminated from Group A.

Group B scenario

The winner of Wednesday’s England-West Indies match will secure a place in the semi-finals.The losing team may still have to win their final group game, depending on other results. Two wins from the remaining matches would guarantee top spot in the group for either England or the West Indies.New Zealand, Scotland and Sri Lanka need to win both their remaining matches to stay in contention. Even then, they would need either England or the West Indies to lose both of their remaining games to have any chance of progressing.Ireland were eliminated from the tournament.