India warmed up for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup with a 26-run win over West Indies in Cardiff, powered by Bharti Fulmali’s unbeaten half-century and a decisive spell from Shreyanka Patil. In the other warm-up game in Cardiff, Australia chased down England’s total with ten balls to spare, with Ellyse Perry top-scoring in a five-wicket victory.
The results offered timely momentum for India and Australia ahead of the tournament, with India’s middle-order acceleration and late-innings bowling control standing out, and Australia showing both early-strike discipline and chase composure.
Fulmali anchors India’s 179 as Fletcher takes four
India posted 179 for 8 after being sent in, with contributions spread through the order before Fulmali’s finishing touch. Smriti Mandhana, captaining in place of Harmanpreet Kaur, and Shafali Verma gave India a flying start, adding 59 for the first wicket in just 5.2 overs.
Mandhana made 39 before falling to Aaliyah Alleyne, and Verma’s 13-ball 29 featured five fours before she was dismissed by offspinner Karishma Ramharack in the seventh over. India then lost another key wicket when Jemimah Rodrigues became the first of legspinner Afy Fletcher’s four victims, leaving India 85 for 3 in eight overs.
From there, Yastika Bhatia and Fulmali rebuilt and accelerated in tandem, adding 60 runs in seven overs to push India towards a strong finish. Bhatia struck six fours in her 36, while Fulmali’s unbeaten 56 included six fours and a six as India closed at 179 for 8. For West Indies, Fletcher was the standout bowler with 4 for 23.
West Indies start well, then Patil and Radha turn the chase
West Indies’ chase began with promise as Deandra Dottin and Shemaine Campbelle put on 63 in nine overs, keeping the required rate in check. The momentum shifted after Campbelle retired out for 25, with India’s bowlers tightening their grip through the middle and late overs.
Patil led the way with four wickets, removing Qiana Joseph, Jahzara Claxton, Jannillea Glasgow and Zaida James to disrupt West Indies’ pursuit. Radha Yadav added further control with 3 for 25, and Bhatia contributed with key strikes as well, dismissing Dottin, Alleyne and Chinelle Henry.
Dottin top-scored with 49 off 44, but West Indies were restricted to 153 for 8 after 20 overs, falling 26 runs short as India’s bowling closed out the innings.
Perry’s 64 leads Australia past England after early wickets
Australia also registered a warm-up win in Cardiff, beating England by five wickets after England made 157 for 6. England’s innings was shaped by a difficult start: they were reduced to 19 for 3 in the fifth over. Kim Garth struck with her third ball to remove Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Megan Schutt dismissed Amy Jones on the same score, and Nat Sciver-Brunt—playing her comeback game—was bowled by Alana King as England endured a poor powerplay.
Alice Capsey (45) and Heather Knight (25) steadied England, before Freya Kemp (41) and Dani Gibson added late runs to lift the total to 157 for 6. For Australia, King finished with 2 for 10 and Schutt took 2 for 20.
In reply, Australia’s chase was set up by Beth Mooney’s brisk 43 off 26 balls and a 51-run opening stand with Georgia Voll. Perry then took charge at No. 3, striking nine fours in her 43-ball 64. Perry was the last wicket to fall, but Australia completed the chase with ten balls remaining to seal a comfortable warm-up win.