London, June 27 -- Smriti Mandhana believes the gap between India and Australia in women's cricket has narrowed significantly, thanks to greater exposure through leagues like the Women's Big Bash League and the Women's Premier League.

She credited India's steady progress over the past five to six years and said that, particularly in T20 cricket, matches between the two sides are now decided by which team performs better on the day rather than by any clear difference in quality.

Mandhana was speaking to the reporters on the eve of India's Women's T20 World Cup clash against Australia in London. India and Australia will face off in a crucial ICC Women's T20 WC Group A match at Lord's in London on Sunday.

The game determines semi- finals ...