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India will be desperate to overcome their middle-order batting issues and sloppy fielding to bolster their campaign when they play Bangladesh in a crucial Women’s T20 World Cup Group A clash on Thursday, 25th June, at 7:00 PM IST.
India entered the 12-team tournament with the form of their top order a concern, but Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma have largely put those fears aside. Both batters have scored over 154 and given strong starts in three matches.
Mandhana has scored 159 runs, while Shafali has contributed 92.
But the inability of the middle order to capitalise on those platforms has now become a new challenge for the team management.
The Indian women’s team has played three games so far, winning two and losing one, and is currently placed second on the table.
India Women managed 158 in their allotted 20 overs against South Africa Women in their last match. But their bowling unit was unable to defend the target, and the opposition effortlessly chased it down.
Similarly, the Bangladesh Women have won two matches and are now fourth in the points table.
Bangladesh Women successfully defended a low total of 123 runs to win their last match against Pakistan Women by 23 runs.
Nahida Akter and Sanjida Akter took three wickets each to help their team defend the target. India’s chances of qualification are dependent on correcting their middle-order batting and errors in the field.
The Women in Blue will face a confident bowling unit that has just defended 123 and cannot afford another tactical error if they want to secure a semifinal spot.
Squads
India Women: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Prema Rawat, Yastika Bhatia, Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma, Shree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh Thakur, Radha Yadav, Nandini Sharma, Arundhati Reddy.
Bangladesh Women: Nigar Sultana (C), Nahida Akter (VC), Sobhana Mostary, Sharmin Akhter, Taj Nehar, Nigar Sultana, Dilara Akter, Juairiya Ferdous, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Marufa Akter, Fariha Trisna, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, Sanjida Akter Meghla.
Also read: Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: How India Can Still Reach The Semi-Finals
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