India’s players appeared as crestfallen as their supporters at the end.
They struggled to time the ball for much of their batting innings, with Jemimah Rodrigues even retired out on 34 from 28. Australia also dropped three catches in the final two overs, including chances dropped over the boundary for six.
But if Australia appeared rattled there, Perry and Gardner were the complete opposite.
They did not panic when they needed 86 from the last eight overs and cruised to their target in the end. Their partnership was perfectly paced.
India’s bowling has struggled throughout this tournament and, despite crucial breakthroughs to dismiss Phoebe Litchfield for 24 and Beth Mooney 22, had no answer to Perry and Gardner’s might.
Afterwards, both Harmanpreet and coach Amol Muzumdar said India need to “rethink” their T20 game.
“Our bowling needs to up the ante a little bit,” Muzumdar said.
“I don’t think our fielding helped the cause. We need to really go back and think how we are going to approach the T20 game.”
In truth, India’s mistake was not losing here, but their defeat by South Africa at Old Trafford last weekend which left them needing to upset the odds to progress from a tough group.
This was their fourth successive exit at the hands of Australia in Women’s T20 World Cups and there will be now be doubts about the future of their 37-year-old captain Harmanpreet.
Tuesday’s semi-final was arranged for the afternoon to suit Indian TV schedules but India will not be there.
England have built belief with their winning run through Group B and will start as favourites against South Africa, despite defeats in the sides’ past two semi-final meetings.
Australia, though, showed their muscle here. They remain the side to beat.
