India will look to bounce back from Sunday's defeat to South Africa when they return to Old Trafford for a crucial Women's T20 World Cup Group A clash with Bangladesh.
The Proteas' six-wicket win over the Women's World Cup holders was one of the shocks of the tournament and blew the group wide open.
India, South Africa and Bangladesh now sit level on four points, separated only by net run rate.
Harmanpreet Kaur's side made a blistering start powered by Shafali Verma’s 31 off 15 before a collapse as South Africa's seamers - particularly Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp - dragged the game back.
India’s bowlers were then unable to contain Kapp with the bat as her unbeaten 81 steered her side to the target with five balls to spare.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, kept their campaign alive with a gritty win over Pakistan, thanks to Sanjida Akter Meghla's superb spell and Shorna Akter's late‑innings rescue act.
India Women v Bangladesh Women Tips Summary
Best Bet - Match Handicap - India Women -7.5wkts/-69.5 runs @ 10/11
Alternative Bet - Smriti Mandhana over 32.5 runs @ 5/6
Bet Builder - India highest opening partnership, Mandhana 30+ runs & Marufa Akter - Top Bangladesh bowler @ 7/1
India Women v Bangladesh Women Prediction
Best Bet: Match Handicap - India Women -7.5wkts/-69.5 runs @ 10/11
India's defeat to South Africa was a setback, but it does not change the fact that they remain one of the strongest sides in the tournament.
They are one of only two teams in Group A to have posted a score above 200 in the tournament and they did that against a Netherlands side who took Bangladesh to the final over at Edgbaston.
Kaur's side will be desperate to get back to winning ways and they will now be more wary of the net run rate situation.
Although India still have the edge over South Africa and Bangladesh, the Proteas have yet to play the Netherlands and that match could make a big difference to the table.
Luckily for India, they have established dominance over the Tigers in recent times - winning each of the last seven meetings in this format.
In two of those victories, including the last one in the 2024 Asia Cup, they would have covered the handicap set for this match.
Bangladesh will fight - they always do - but India's quality should win out and they can achieve the big victory they need to get back on track for the semi-finals.
Alternative Bet: Smriti Mandhana over 32.5 runs @ 5/6
Smriti Mandhana has been India's standout performer, scoring 159 runs at an average of 53 and a strike rate of 154.36.
She has two half‑centuries already and looks in complete command.
Bangladesh's seamers rarely trouble left‑handers early and Mandhana's record against them is exceptional. On a pitch offering good value for shots, she should clear this line comfortably.
India Women v Bangladesh Women Bet Builder
India highest opening partnership
Smriti Mandhana 30+ runs
Marufa Akter - Top Bangladesh bowler
Pays 7/1
India's openers have been far more consistent than Bangladesh's and with Mandhana in such irresistible form, it makes sense to back India to establish the highest first-wicket stand.
The left-hander has passed 30 runs in seven of her last 13 T20I innings, averaging almost 40 across that run.
Add seamer Marufa Akter, who has been Bangladesh's top bowler in two of their first three World Cup games, to again be her country's standout performer with the ball.
Key Match Stats
India lead the T20I head‑to‑head against Bangladesh 20-3
India have won all of the last seven meetings
Smriti Mandhana has 159 runs at 53.00 this tournament
Bangladesh’s Sanjida Akter Meghla has four wickets at 6.25 economy rate
Shree Charani has a strike rate of 13.5 balls per wicket, the best of any Full Member bowler with 25+ career wickets
Nahida Akter became the first woman from Bangladesh to take 200 wickets in all international formats in the win over Pakistan
Tactics, Form & Team News
India handed a debut to leg‑spinning all-rounder Prema Rawat and included seam-bowling all-rounder Arundhati Reddy in their side against South Africa last time out.
However, Reddy's place could go to Renuka Singh, who was part of India's Women's World Cup-winning side last year.
Expected India XI: 1 Smriti Mandhana, 2 Shafali Verma, 3 Yastika Bhatia, 4 Jemimah Rodrigues, 5 Harmanpreet Kaur (c), 6 Richa Ghosh (wk), 7 Deepti Sharma, 8 Prema Rawat, 9 Arundhati Reddy/Renuka Singh,10 Shree Charani, 11 Nandani Sharma.
Bangladesh rely heavily on their spinners and on Nigar Sultana's stability at the top of the order.
Shanjida Akter Meghla came in for Sultana Khatun as their only change from the defeat to Australia last time out.
Expected Bangladesh XI: Nigar Sultana (c, wk), Dilara Akter, Juairiya Ferdous, Sobhana Mostary, Sharmin Akhter, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Rabeya Khan, Nahida Akter, Marufa Akter, Sanjida Akter Meghla.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
