Manchester: India kept their semi-final hopes alive in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a five-wicket win over Bangladesh, riding on a blistering half-century by Shafali Verma at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Chasing a modest target of 137, India completed the task in 16.5 overs, thanks largely to Shafali’s explosive 53 off 34 balls. However, the victory was overshadowed by another disappointing fielding display, which allowed Bangladesh to post 136 for 8 despite multiple missed opportunities.
Fielding woes continue to haunt India
India’s fielding has been a major concern throughout the tournament, and the match against Bangladesh exposed the issue once again. The team dropped as many as four catches, all of which were relatively straightforward chances.
The biggest beneficiary of India’s poor fielding was Bangladesh opener Juairiya Ferdous, who was dropped three times within the first five overs. Although she managed to score 33 off 31 balls, she failed to fully capitalise on the reprieves.
Nandni Sharma, Yastika Bhatia and Radha Yadav were among the players who missed chances in the field. The lapses added unnecessary pressure on the bowlers, who otherwise performed reasonably well to restrict Bangladesh.
India also conceded extras, including seven wides and three no-balls, further reflecting a lack of discipline in the field.
Bowlers manage to restrict Bangladesh
Despite the fielding errors, India’s bowlers did well to keep Bangladesh to a manageable total. Left-arm spinner Radha Yadav led the attack with figures of 3 for 28, removing key batters including captain Nigar Sultana and Sobhana Mostary in quick succession.
Pacer Renuka Thakur, playing her first match of the tournament, made an immediate impact by dismissing opener Dilara Akter in her first over. Shree Charani also impressed, delivering a tight final over in which she picked up two wickets while conceding just three runs.
Bangladesh struggled to build momentum despite a decent start, as India relied heavily on spin in conditions that offered assistance to slower bowlers due to the unusually warm weather in the United Kingdom.
Shafali dominates the chase
India’s chase got off to a flying start, courtesy of Shafali Verma’s aggressive approach. After the early dismissal of Smriti Mandhana, Shafali took charge and single-handedly propelled India to 63 for 1 in the powerplay.
She attacked both pace and spin with equal authority, frequently using the inside-out shot to find the boundary. Her innings ensured that India remained ahead of the required run rate throughout the chase.
Shafali brought up her second World Cup half-century in just 29 balls, putting India in a commanding position. However, her innings ended in an unusual manner when she attempted a non-existent single after under-edging a delivery from Nahida Akter and was stumped.
Middle-order steadies the innings
After Shafali’s dismissal, India experienced a brief slowdown in the middle overs. The required rate crept up slightly before Jemimah Rodrigues played a crucial cameo of 26 off 15 balls to guide India closer to the target.
Her timely contribution ensured that India avoided any late hiccups and sealed the win comfortably with more than three overs to spare.
Must-win clash against Australia awaits
With this victory, India have kept themselves in contention for a semi-final spot. However, their next match against Australia on June 28 will be crucial in determining their fate in the tournament.
India had earlier suffered a defeat to South Africa, largely due to similar fielding lapses. To overcome a strong Australian side, the team will need to significantly improve in all departments, particularly in the field.
Conclusion: Win masks persistent concerns
While the win over Bangladesh provides much-needed momentum, India’s recurring fielding issues remain a major concern. Against stronger opponents, such lapses could prove costly.
Shafali Verma’s brilliance with the bat has once again highlighted her importance to the team, but a collective improvement will be essential if India are to progress further in the competition.