India’s Shafali Verma hits a six during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup match at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, on Thursday (June 25, 2026).
| Photo Credit: Getty Images
They dropped catches, but not points.
The Women in Blue may have another forgettable day when it came to fielding, but they scored a badly-needed, though very much expected, victory at Old Trafford here on a sweltering Thursday afternoon. The five-wicket victory against Bangladesh, with 3.1 overs to spare, has kept their hopes alive in the Women’s T20 World Cup.
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After restricting their eastern neighbour to 136 for eight, they had looked like cruising sooner though. But there was a bit of a wobble in the middle-order again, after a superb fifty from Shafali Verma.
With the Indian score at 98 for four — from 94 for two — the Bangladesh women may have sensed an opportunity for a big upset, but Jemimah Rodrigues (26, 15b, 3×4, 1×6) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (13 n.o., 14b) made it sure that India would cross the line, though not as fast as they would have wanted to.
The way Shafali, who bowled India’s first over yet again, came up with her confident strokes, it was clear that India was determined to improve its net run-rate, which could indeed come into play later. She put on 31 for the first wicket with Smriti Mandhana, who played straight to Rabeya Khan at covers off Marufa Akter.
Shafali was cross with herself and even hit her helmet with her gloved hand after she was stumped off Nahida Akter. Yastika Bhatia was shaping up well until she miscued and was caught at covers off Ritu Moni.
India, nevertheless, got home comfortably enough in the end.
With Australia virtually assured of a place in the semifinals from Group A, it was imperative that the Indians left that disappointing defeat to South Africa behind on this very ground three days ago. They now have six points, two behind the formidable Aussies.
The two teams will come face to face at Lord’s at the weekend. South Africa is still slightly better placed than India when it comes to that race for the spot in the last four. The Proteas have easier opponents in their last two matches.
Earlier, the Indians restricted Bangladesh to that modest despite putting down catches, as they continued from where they left off in the South Africa match. And the ball continued to chase Radha Yadav, who had dropped two in that game.
She put down opener Juairiya Ferdous off the bowling of Renuka Singh, who was playing her first match of the tournament. And the fact is Radha is one of the best fielders in the game.
Juairiya went on to be the top-scorer for Bangladesh with 33 (31b, 5×4). Skipper Nigar Sultana (32, 27b, 4×4) and Sobhana Mostary (22) were the only others that lasted for a while, but the innings never really threatened to take off.
Radha made up for her dropped catch with three wickets. The other left-arm spinner, Shree Charani, did what was expected of her. Yet another impressive spell gave her two wickets. She has now 12 wickets, more than anybody else at this World Cup.
Published – June 25, 2026 10:50 pm IST
