Anticipation is in the air as the Bangladesh women’s cricket team prepares to face off against their Indian counterparts in the looming battle set for Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. This encounter marks a momentous occasion, as the Indian women’s team steps back into the international spotlight, their first engagement since a comprehensive home series against Australia that spanned across December 2023 to January 2024.
The last series of matches between these two teams in July 2023 proved to be a boiling pot of competitive spirit. India came out on top, securing a 1-2 victory in the three-match T20I series; however, Bangladesh’s morale-boosting win in the final game became a cornerstone for the emerging team. Currently placed 9th in the ICC women’s T20I team rankings, Bangladesh will no doubt leverage the home ground advantage and the energy from their last home victory.
Commanding the Indian team, Harmanpreet Kaur – whose leadership and skills shone in India’s recent win by eight wickets at the Asian Games in Hangzhou – is looking robust and well-prepared to chart the team’s course through the five-match series. With a clear favoritism on their side, the Indian team aims to set a strong precedent with a victory in the upcoming match.
The stage is set:
Match: 1st T20I match
Venue: Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet
Date & Time: Sunday, April 27, at 3:30 PM IST (Toss at 3:00 PM)
Broadcast and Live Streaming: FanCode app and website
An exhaustive list of players to watch includes wicketkeepers Nigar Sultana and Richa Ghosh, backed by a stellar batting lineup featuring Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Ritu Moni, and Shafali Verma. The all-round prowess of Deepti Sharma paired with Fahima Khatun’s skills offers a robust strategy for the Indian team. The bowling attack comprises Nahida Akter, Shreyanka Patil, and Sultana Khatun, each expected to deliver performances keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
Highlighting a few players, Harmanpreet Kaur stands out as the Indian captain, who was decorated with the Player of the Series accolade during the previous India-Bangladesh T20Is. Her formidable batting form, exemplified by a spectacular run with Mumbai Indians in the WPL 2024, augments her readiness for this series.
Another key player, Deepti Sharma, basks in the limelight as the Player of the Tournament from WPL 2024, representing UP Warriorz. Her dual talent with bat and ball was evident against Bangladesh in their last T20I clash, and spectators are expectant of similar heroics this time around.
The predicted playing XI for Bangladesh Women includes Murshida Khatun, Rubya Haider, Dilara Akter, Nigar Sultana (c & wk), Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Nahida Akter, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, Fahima Khatun, and Marufa Akter. India Women, on the other hand, are likely to field Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Pooja Vastrakar, Amanjot Kaur, Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana, and Renuka Singh.
On the eve of this head-to-head, the atmosphere buzzes with excitement for the cricket aficionados and the players aspiring to leave an indelible mark on the game; it promises to be a riveting chapter in the storied rivalry between these teams.
