India kept their Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign alive with a five-wicket win over Bangladesh at Old Trafford on Thursday. The result was expected, but it still mattered for a side coming off a disappointing defeat to South Africa at the same venue three days earlier.
Bangladesh were restricted to 136 for eight, leaving India with a target that looked well within reach. India completed the chase with 3.1 overs to spare, helped mainly by Shafali Verma’s attacking 53 at the top of the order. The win gave India two more points and moved them to six in Group A.
The chase, however, was not as smooth as India would have wanted. After being placed at 94 for two, India slipped to 98 for four and briefly opened the door for Bangladesh. The middle-order wobble meant India could not finish the game as early as it had looked possible during Shafali’s innings.
Shafali gives India a strong start
Shafali, who also bowled India’s first over again, began the chase with clear intent. Her strokes suggested India were aware that net run-rate may become important later in the group stage. She added 31 for the first wicket with Smriti Mandhana before Mandhana was dismissed by Marufa Akter, playing straight to Rabeya Khan at cover.
Shafali continued to attack and brought up a valuable half-century. Her dismissal came when she was stumped off Nahida Akter. She was visibly frustrated with herself after getting out, even hitting her helmet with her gloved hand. By then, though, she had given India the platform they needed.
Yastika Bhatia also looked settled for a while, but she miscued a shot and was caught at cover off Ritu Moni. Those dismissals, along with the quick loss of wickets in the middle, made the chase tighter than India would have preferred.
Jemimah and Harmanpreet finish the job
At 98 for four, Bangladesh had a small opening. India still had enough batting left, and Jemimah Rodrigues and captain Harmanpreet Kaur handled the situation without letting the match drift too far.
Jemimah made 26 from 15 balls, hitting three fours and one six. Her innings brought urgency back to the chase at a time when India needed calm but also did not want to waste too many deliveries. Harmanpreet stayed unbeaten on 13 from 14 balls and was there when India crossed the line.
The final margin was comfortable on paper, but India will know that the middle overs of the chase could have been cleaner. The fielding was also not entirely convincing, according to the match report, even though the bowlers had done enough to keep Bangladesh to a chaseable total.
Group A race remains tight
The win leaves India with six points, two behind Australia. Australia are virtually assured of a semifinal place from Group A, which leaves India and South Africa in a close race for another spot in the last four.
India’s next match is against Australia at Lord’s at the weekend. That fixture is likely to be significant for India’s hopes, especially with net run-rate still a possible factor. South Africa are described as slightly better placed than India in the race, with easier opponents left in their final two matches.
For India, the immediate task was to recover from the South Africa defeat and avoid a slip against Bangladesh. They did that through Shafali’s 53 and steady finishing from Jemimah and Harmanpreet. The larger challenge now comes quickly, with Australia waiting at Lord’s.
Source: The Hindu Cricket.
