Untidy India stormed past Bangladesh to keep semi-final hopes alive

Quick Scores: India (139/5 in 16.5 overs) beat Bangladesh (136/8) by 5 wickets at Old Trafford, Manchester

IND vs SA: MAIN | SCORECARD

India were disorganized to say the least against Bangladesh in their must-win Group A clash. Still, despite a far from convincing performance, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side managed to keep their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign alive with a five-wicket win at Old Trafford in Manchester on Thursday. Chasing 137, India got over the line in 16.5 overs and bounced back from a disappointing defeat to South Africa.

While the result was crucial, the performance revealed several concerns. India were sloppy in the field, conceding opportunities through poor ground positions and lapses in concentration, while their middle order again failed to provide complete assurance during a meager chase. At various stages, Bangladesh threatened to drag the contest deep after India looked to be firmly in control.

However, India found a way to secure two points and stay in contention for a place in the semi-finals. However, they will need significant improvement in all departments before they take on Australia in Sunday’s thrilling Group A clash at Lord’s.

India will also have one eye on South Africa’s remaining matches, with net run rate likely to play a decisive role in determining the semi-finalists. With no team yet to secure qualification from the group, the race for the last four remains open.

POOR TERRAIN IS AGAIN FREAKING INDIA

Radha Yadav dropped 2 catches. Courtesy: BCCI Women

India may have restricted Bangladesh to 136 for 8, but the score doesn’t tell the whole story. Again, sloppy fielding threatened to undo the good work of the bowlers and exposed a worrying weakness that is becoming a recurring theme in this tournament.

The warning signs were against South Africa, where dropped catches proved costly. Against Bangladesh, this problem was impossible to ignore. India took four catches in the first five overs, giving Bangladesh some lifelines when they were vulnerable. At the highest level, such generosity is rarely forgiven.

Radha Yadav endured another difficult outing in the field. After dropping two crucial chances against South Africa, she spilled two more catches and allowed Juairiya Ferdous (33) two lifelines. Yastika Bhatia also failed to keep out a tough chance, while Nandni Sharma had a forgettable start, converting two chances in quick succession.

These outs completely changed the face of the innings. Bangladesh struggled after Renuka Singh removed Dilara Akter early but India allowed Juairiya Ferdous and Sobhana Mostary (22) to settle. The pair capitalized on the reprieve and put together an important 51-run partnership for the second wicket, giving Bangladesh a platform they did not earn.

INDIA SPINNERS ARE AT IT AGAIN

Indian spinners restricted Bangladesh in the middle overs. Courtesy: BCCI Women

If India threatened to let Bangladesh off the hook, the spinners ensured that the innings never got out of hand.

Radha Yadav, who endured a torrid afternoon in the midfield, produced a perfect response with the ball. After dropping catches early in the innings, the left-arm spinner showed tremendous character to finish with excellent figures of 4 for 28 from her four overs.

Her wickets came at crucial moments, including the prized scalp of Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana Jota, just as she threatened a late onslaught. Radha then came back in lethal operations to remove the dangerous Rita Moni and complete the three-wicket haul.

Shree Charani continued her dream tournament. The young left-hander struck twice in the final to finish with two wickets while writing his name in the record books. With 11 wickets in this edition, Charani now holds the record for most wickets by an Indian bowler in a single Women’s T20 World Cup, surpassing Poonam Yadav’s 10 from the 2020 tournament.

Deepti Sharma has lost a wicket and her wait to surpass Jhulan Goswami’s 355 international wickets continues.

For Bangladesh, Nigar Sultana Joty provided the late spark with a blistering 32 off 27 balls, but the Indian spinners ensured the innings never got away from them.

SHAFALI LEAVES INDIA FOR AIR LAUNCH

Shafali Verma scored a 29-ball fifty against Bangladesh. Courtesy: BCCI Women

Shafali Verma again showed why she is considered one of the most devastating batsmen in world cricket as she blasted a 29-ball half-century to put India firmly in control of their chase of 137 against Bangladesh at Old Trafford.

The opener enjoyed an early bit of luck when Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana Joty bowled a direct chance to Maruf Akter with Shafali at just four. Bangladesh paid dearly for this mistake. Shafali came out with all guns blazing, peppering the boundary ropes with eight fours and a six as she raced to 53 from just 34 deliveries.

Her fearless strokeplay propelled India to 63 for 1 in PowerPlay, India’s highest ever PowerPlay score in Women’s T20 World Cup history. At the end of six overs, Shafali was unbeaten on 45 off 25 balls, reducing the required run rate to just 5.28.

However, Smriti Mandhana suffered another disappointment. After showing glimpses of her class with a boundary, the left-hander fell to eight when she mis-driven to cover Marufu Akter.

Yastika Bhatia then ensured that the momentum never dropped. She played an ideal supporting role when she came in at No. 3, rotating the strike effectively and finding the boundary when the opportunities arose, including a beautifully timed shot by Rita Moni.

Her composed presence perfectly complemented Shafali’s aggression and helped India maintain control of the chase before an unfortunate trip brought an end to the opener’s scintillating innings.

INDIA IN THE MIDDLE FIGHT BUT RETURN HOME

Jemimah Rodrigues scored an unbeaten 26 to take India home. Courtesy: BCCI Women

Bangladesh fought their way back into the contest after India’s explosive start, applying the brakes in the middle overs and forcing the chase to a thrilling finish. From a comfortable position of needing 61 runs off 68 balls, India found scoring increasingly difficult as the Bangladeshi spinners tightened the screws. The required target was reduced to 33 from 36 balls, but India endured a frustrating phase in which they went 22 deliveries without finding a boundary.

In an effort to keep the momentum going, India promoted Richa Ghosh to the order. Nahida Akter briefly brought the momentum with back-to-back boundaries and cut off everything on offer outside. However, her stay was short-lived as she was trapped by Rabeya Khan for 10 off 12 balls.

Earlier, Yastika Bhatia picked up where Shafali left off and played a measured hand of 23 off 18 deliveries. She cleverly turned her strike and hit three boundaries to help keep the scoreboard moving before hitting Rita Moni.

As Bangladesh sensed an opening, Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur had to steady the chase. Rodrigues survived a major scare when Bangladesh squandered a golden opportunity after a mix-up between the batters.

The reprieve proved costly as Jemimah broke the boundary drought with a six and followed it up with crucial boundaries as she scored a brisk 26 off 15 balls to put India back in control before falling late in the innings. Harmanpreet and Deepti Sharma then completed the formalities to help India cruise home with 19 balls to spare.

– The end

Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

June 25, 2026 10:53 PM IST