India Women vs Bangladesh Women, 23rd Match, Group A, ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 - CommentaryINDW vs BANW, 23rd Match, Group A, ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 - Commentary

India have done everything they needed to do in this game to keep their campaign alive. Their fate, however, is no longer entirely in their own hands. They will now be hoping that South Africa slip up in one of their remaining matches, the first of which begins in less than 30 minutes against Netherlands. That said, all roads lead to what promises to be a blockbuster double-header at Lord’s this Sunday, with plenty still to be decided in the race for the semifinals. For now, you can switch tabs and catch all the action between South Africa and Netherlands. Cheers!!

Harmanpreet Kaur | India skipper (2/2): [On using every member of the squad and whether India have settled on their best combination] I think when we came here, one thing was very clear in our mind that every game is a different opposition and they have different positives and negatives and accordingly we have set our playing XI. So we were very open about our playing XI and we just thought about what is the best combination on that part. We will be well with that. [On facing Australia again] I think one of our favourite opposition and hopefully our best come on that day. [On whether the win over Australia in Navi Mumbai changes the way India approach another must-win game against them] Well, we know that these two tournaments and every game is a must-win and sometimes when things doesn’t go in your way, you have to give your best. And I think that game is very important and if we win that, I think we will definitely get a lot of confidence from that. And I think the last win against them in the Navi Mumbai, that has given us a lot of confidence and broken a lot of barriers and hopefully we’ll play our best cricket on that day.

Harmanpreet Kaur | India skipper (1/2): [On completing the first job and securing the win against Bangladesh] I think it’s a good win. We were looking for this and good that we thought we’ll finish a bit early, but unfortunately, you know, but still I think two, three overs were there when we finished the game. So I think that’s a plus point for us. [On what still needs improvement before the next game] I think a lot of things, but I think fielding is something on which we have been working very hard, but unfortunately today again, we were not very great with the catches and hopefully, you know, next game is very important and I think that is the day to show our best cricket. [On handling repeated dropped catches by otherwise strong fielders] Well, that’s true. They are our best fielders, but sometimes situations are like that. You can’t really control them, but we only talked about, let’s keep working hard, keep spending a lot of time on the field, keep catching those balls so that when we go into the field, we are in a good position. But unfortunately today again, we again fumbled so many balls, but I think the next match is a very important match and I’m sure our best will come on that day.

Nigar Sultana | Bangladesh skipper [On the crucial phases Bangladesh would have liked to improve after staying in the fight against India] See, we have created a lot of chances in the middle, especially in the bowling, so we couldn’t grab them. So they take this game away from us. And I think the way we actually bowled in the last game, we couldn’t bowl. [On whether 136 was a satisfactory total at the halfway stage] We were short of 15 to 20 runs. And we had a good start in the powerplay, but we couldn’t carry on in the middle and the last few overs of the innings. I think what we should accelerate on that time, so couldn’t capitalize ourselves. [On the message to the team when India still needed runs and Bangladesh remained in the contest] We are talking about like anything can happen anytime. So just be positive and try to bowl in the right areas and try to be so calm. If it is the opportunity to come, you have to grab it. So somehow I think we lost the momentum and they played really well. [On Bangladesh’s progress during their first international tour of England] See, it’s not about success every time. I think the way this whole unit actually growing day by day and a lot of young players come up each and every game individually. So it is a kind of a success for me, but still we are here to win. And we had a massive opportunity to do well here, but I think I’m really proud of the way we actually played. [On what it would mean to play at Lord’s in the final game] I guess this is a good opportunity for us because being there is a good for the team. We really wanted to create some good memories there and we are looking for the last game.

Stats by Roshan Gede

India’s highest successful run-chases in Women’s T20 WC
150 vs PAK-W, Cape Town, 2023
137 vs BAN-W, Old Trafford, 2026
134 vs PAK-W, Providence, 2018
119 vs WI-W, Cape Town, 2023
118 vs WI-W, Sylhet, 2014

Most POTM awards for IND-W in T20 WC
4 - Harmanpreet Kaur
3 - Smriti Mandhana
3 - Mithali Raj
3 - Shafali Verma

Shafali Verma completed 500 runs in T20 WC today. Of the 23 batters to have breached that mark in the tournament’s history, she has the highest strike-rate (133.07), followed by Alyssa Healy (129.39).

Shafali Verma | Player of the Match [On scoring 53 off 34 and her batting form during the tournament] Very happy the way I batted today. But if I will be not out, that will be so happier for me. But yeah, good confidence today and so happy I can grab some runs. [On chasing 136 and the plan during the powerplay] Nothing much, just backing our batting. Just whatever loose ball will come, we’ll just go for the four or maybe six or otherwise we’ll go for one run. So it’s just a normal talk, not the different thing. [On any particular shots she has been working on] Well, just try to, you know, choose the right ball, whatever coming in my like in my zone, just go for that. Otherwise, take single. It’s just a very simple thing, but sometimes it’s complicated a lot. But I just talked to myself a lot this time and yeah, it’s going good and so happy for that. [On getting out after a well-made innings] Of course, sad. The way I got out, as I said earlier, if I will be the not out and that will be more happier for me. [On becoming India’s opening bowler and the work she has put into her bowling] Well, of course in the nets, I used to bowl with the new ball and with the old ball. Sometimes I laugh a lot, but in the end, whatever team needs, I’m there for that. And thanks to Harman, she always give me a lot of confidence when I bowl, give me a very good field set. So just thanks to her. [On the upcoming match against Australia] Yeah, of course, we’ll go to London and see them.

17:41 Local Time, 16:41 GMT, 22:11 IST: They wanted to get this done early but Bangladesh managed to drag it almost till the end of the 17th over. Two crucial points in the bag though. Shafali got a life early and she wasted no time. Got a quick start and carried on even though Smriti fell early. Yastika gave her good company and she was able to record a fifty off just 29 balls. Then she had a brainfade moment as she was stumped after assuming the ball wasn't near the keeper. India lost Yastika and Richa (got promoted to push the NRR) in quick succession. Minutes later, there was a communication breakdown between Harman and Jemi to add to the drama. Jemi escaped as the bowler failed to collect the throw neatly. But she then got some quick boundaries to ease pressure and the rest eventually sealed the deal. India have given themselves a good chance of qualifying for the semis, but they need to overpower Australia to have things in their own hands. Meanwhile, Bangladesh still have an outside chance, mathematically.

Ritu Moni to Jemimah Rodrigues, THATS OUT!! Caught!!