India Seal Semi-Final Spot with Dominant Win Over Bangladesh in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026

LONDON, June 26, 2026: The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 witnessed thrilling group-stage drama as India Women secured a semi-final spot with a decisive win over Bangladesh Women, while other top teams also closed in on qualification. The tournament, hosted across multiple iconic venues in England, is nearing its climax with only three spots remaining in the semi-finals.

The Indian women’s cricket team bounced back in style at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, defeating Bangladesh by five wickets at Old Trafford in Manchester on Thursday to strengthen their semi-final hopes.

A blistering half-century from Shafali Verma and a match-winning spell from Radha Yadav guided the Women in Blue to an important victory, helping them retain second place in Group 1 with six points from four matches and an impressive Net Run Rate of 2.268.

India will now head into a potentially decisive final group-stage clash against record six-time champions Australia on Sunday.

Shafali’s Aggression Sets Up Comfortable Chase

Chasing a target of 137, India suffered an early setback when Smriti Mandhana departed in the third over. However, Shafali Verma ensured there was no panic in the dressing room.

The opener took the attack to the Bangladesh bowlers from the outset, playing with her trademark aggression and dominating the powerplay. Shafali brought up her fifty in just 29 balls and put India firmly in control of the chase.

She eventually fell for a superb 53 off 34 deliveries in the ninth over, leaving India comfortably placed at 76/2.

Bangladesh attempted to claw their way back into the contest as Yastika Bhatia and Richa Ghosh departed in quick succession, reducing India to 98/4 in the 13th over.

However, Jemimah Rodrigues played a crucial cameo, scoring 26 off just 15 balls, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur contributed a steady 14 to steer India home without further alarms. India eventually reached 139/5 in 16.5 overs to seal a five-wicket victory.

Radha Yadav Leads Disciplined Bowling Display

Earlier in the evening, Bangladesh struggled to gain momentum after electing to bat first.

India received an early boost when returning pacer Renuka Singh, playing her first match of the tournament after recovering from injury, struck in her very first over to dismiss Dilara Akter.

Juairiya Ferdous and Sobhana Mostary then stitched together Bangladesh’s highest partnership of the innings, adding 51 runs for the second wicket and providing some stability.

The momentum shifted dramatically when Radha Yadav produced a decisive spell. The left-arm spinner dismissed both Sobhana Mostary and Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana, triggering another collapse in the Bangladesh innings.

India’s bowlers continued to strike regularly, preventing Bangladesh from accelerating in the middle and death overs. Bangladesh’s hopes of a late flourish were further dented when Sharmin Akhter retired out in the 18th over.

The Indian attack finished strongly, conceding just 16 runs in the final two overs to restrict Bangladesh to 136/8 in their 20 overs.

Radha finished with excellent figures of 3/28 and emerged as India’s standout performer with the ball.

Shree Charani Creates World Cup History

There was another major milestone for India during the match as Shree Charani became the highest wicket-taking Indian in a single edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup.

The young spinner now has 12 wickets in the tournament, surpassing Poonam Yadav’s previous record of 10 wickets set during the 2020 edition.

Brief Scores

Bangladesh Women: 136/8 in 20 overs
(Juairiya Ferdous 33; Radha Yadav 3/28)

India Women: 139/5 in 16.5 overs
(Shafali Verma 53; Ritu Moni 2/29)

Result: India Women won by five wickets.

With momentum restored and a semi-final spot still within reach, all eyes will now be on Sunday’s blockbuster encounter against Australia, where Harmanpreet Kaur and her team could be playing in a virtual knockout.

Performances, the semi-final line-up is taking shape. Fans worldwide are in for a treat as the tournament heads into its decisive phase.