Australia and India sent a strong message ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, registering convincing victories over England and West Indies respectively in their warm-up fixtures.
Both sides produced commanding all-round displays, giving fans a glimpse of their tournament-ready form.
India Beat West Indies by 26 Runs in Cardiff
India began their warm-up campaign on a winning note with a 26-run victory against West Indies in Cardiff. Batting first, India posted a competitive 179/8, powered by a solid batting effort across the lineup.
The innings was anchored by Bharti Fulmalli, who played a composed knock of 56 not out off 40 balls, striking six boundaries and a six. Earlier, openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma provided a quick start, with Mandhana leading the charge with an attacking 39 off 23 deliveries.
India’s middle order also contributed, including Yastika Bhatia’s fluent 36 before tactical retirement to test the lower order. West Indies’ best bowler was Afy Fletcher, who impressed with 4/23.
In reply, West Indies struggled to maintain momentum despite a 63-run opening stand between Deandra Dottin and Shemaine Campbelle. Radha Yadav and Shreyanka Patil turned the match decisively, sharing key wickets as West Indies were restricted to 153/8.
Australia Overpower England in Clinical Chase
In the second warm-up, Australia defeated England by five wickets in a well-controlled performance. England were initially rocked early, slipping to 19/3 before rebuilding through Alice Capsey and Heather Knight.
Despite late resistance from Freya Kemp and Danielle Gibson, England managed 157/6 in their 20 overs.
Australia responded confidently, with Beth Mooney and Georgia Voll dominating the powerplay. Elyss Perry then took control of the chase, scoring a powerful 64-run knock that guided Australia close to victory before finishing the job with 10 balls remaining.
What This Means Ahead of the Tournament?
Both India and Australia look in strong form—but can they carry this momentum into the main event? Fans will be eager to see if these early performances translate into championship success.
