India Defeats Bangladesh by 5 Wickets in Women's T20 World Cup

MANCHESTER — The India women's national cricket team secured a crucial five-wicket victory over the Bangladesh women's national cricket team on Thursday, June 25, 2026, during a highly anticipated group-stage clash in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. Played at the historic Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Stretford, United Kingdom, this high-stakes encounter was vital for India to revive their campaign following an earlier tournament setback against South Africa. Powered by an aggressive half-century from opening batter Shafali Verma and a disciplined late-overs bowling display led by left-arm spinner Radha Yadav, India chased down Bangladesh's target with 19 balls to spare, keeping their hopes for a semifinal berth firmly on track.

Bangladesh Posts Competitive Total Despite Radha Yadav's Flight

Winning the toss on a balanced Manchester surface, Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana opted to bat first to leverage scoreboard pressure in a tournament environment. The team built a steady foundation through top-order contributor Juairiya Ferdous, who registered a team-high 33 runs off 31 deliveries, striking five boundaries. Skipper Nigar Sultana anchored the middle order with a resilient 32 off 27 balls, while Sobhana Mostary chipped in with a calculated 22 off 26 balls.

However, India's bowling unit consistently broke burgeoning partnerships. Left-arm orthodox spinner Radha Yadav emerged as the standout bowler, dismantling the lower-middle order to finish with impressive figures of 3 for 28 across her allotted four overs. Right-arm spinner Shree Charani provided exceptional control from the opposite end, claiming 2 wickets for 21 runs. Renuka Singh and Nandani Sharma claimed one wicket apiece, restricting Bangladesh to 136 for 8 at the conclusion of their 20 overs.

Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues Steer the Chase

India's pursuit of the 137-run target began aggressively despite losing opening partner Smriti Mandhana early for just 8 runs. Shafali Verma unleashed a blistering counter-attack, dismantling the Bangladeshi bowling lengths. Verma blasted 53 runs from just 34 deliveries, an innings decorated with eight boundaries and a powerful six over long-on, scoring at a strike rate of 155.88.

Following Verma's dismissal, middle-order batter Jemimah Rodrigues maintained the structural momentum, hitting an enterprising 26 off 15 balls, which included three boundaries and a six. Yastika Bhatia contributed a vital 23 off 18 balls to keep the required run-rate well under control. Bangladesh's bowling attack attempted a late fightback, led by medium-pacer Ritu Moni, who took 2 for 29, alongside solitary wickets from Nahida Akter and Rabeya Khatun. Nevertheless, India comfortably crossed the threshold, reaching 139 for 5 in 16.5 overs to seal a comprehensive five-wicket win.

Official Sources Section

The match results, individual statistics, and team updates presented in this report are verified by formal scorecards and tournament updates released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the official live broadcast summaries published via authorized digital streaming networks.

Quote Section

Reflecting on the team's tactical comeback after their previous group-stage defeat, an official team management representative stated:

"According to officials, the victory underscores the team's resilience under intense tournament pressure. The aggressive intent displayed during the Powerplay overs was exactly what was discussed in the team strategy meetings, and executing it successfully gives the squad immense confidence going into the final group fixtures."

Why It Matters

This victory completely realigns the qualification dynamics of Group A in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. Having bounced back from their loss to South Africa, India avoids a catastrophic early exit and keeps their net run-rate healthy. For fans and sports investors, this outcome heightens the stakes for India's upcoming blockbuster group match against arch-rivals Australia, turning it into a virtual must-win quarterfinal for a spot in the knockout stages.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Match Result: India Women won by 5 wickets with 19 balls remaining, chasing down Bangladesh's 136/8.

• Player of the Match: Shafali Verma earned the honor for her match-defining 53 runs off 34 balls.

• Bowling Star: India's Radha Yadav clinical spell of 3/28 choked the scoring rate in the back half of the innings.

• Tournament Status: The win keeps India's semifinal ambitions alive in Group A before facing Australia at Lord's.

FAQ Section

Who won yesterday's ICC Women's T20 World Cup match between India and Bangladesh?

India Women won the match by 5 wickets, successfully chasing down Bangladesh's target by scoring 139/5 in 16.5 overs.

Where was the India vs Bangladesh Women's World Cup match played?

The match was held at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Stretford, Manchester, United Kingdom.

Who was named Player of the Match?

Indian opening batter Shafali Verma was awarded Player of the Match for her explosive knock of 53 runs from 34 deliveries.

Source: International Cricket Council Official Portal, BCCI Women Official Announcements.