The Indian women's team walks out against Bangladesh this evening in a vital Group A fixture, and victory is the only result that will do. The top order, which sparked the most worry at the start of the tournament, has quietly turned into India's biggest strength. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma have answered every question with their bats.
The numbers tell the story. Mandhana has piled up 159 runs in three matches, while Shafali sits on 92. What stands out is that both have batted at a strike rate above 154, handing the team an aggressive launch every single time. So the opening slot is no longer a concern. The trouble begins right after it.
The Middle-Order Headache
India's real worry sits in the middle order. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues and Yastika Bhatia have yet to find their rhythm. As a result, all the pressure lands on the shoulders of finishers Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma. Across three matches, Kaur and Rodrigues have managed just 11 fours between them, with not a single six off either bat. Yastika's tale is no different, hitting only three boundaries in two innings.
Richa and Deepti have certainly scored quickly, but the catch is that they usually get to bat only in the closing overs. That leaves them little room to make a real difference, simply because there are not enough deliveries left by then.
A Strong Spot on the Table
Despite these gaps, India hold second place in Group A with four points and a healthy net run rate. Big wins over Pakistan and the Netherlands have strengthened their position. The recent defeat to South Africa, however, was a wake-up call. That game exposed flaws not just in batting but in fielding too, with several easy chances going down.
Don't Underestimate Bangladesh
Bangladesh, on the other hand, arrive full of belief. They have beaten both Pakistan and New Zealand to show they mean business. The side's strength lies in not leaning on a single star but in winning through a collective effort. That is exactly why this contest will be anything but easy for India.
When and Where to Watch
The India versus Bangladesh match will be played on Thursday, 25 June. It gets underway at 7:00 PM IST and will be hosted at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground. The game will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network on television, while mobile and online viewers can catch the live stream on JioHotstar.
