Women's T20 WC 2026: Radha, Renuka return as Bangladesh bat first vs India
Synopsis
India vs Bangladesh at Old Trafford isn't just another group game — it's a must-win for a side with middle-order cracks and Australia looming next. The return of Radha Yadav and Renuka Singh Thakur signals India's intent to bowl their way out of trouble, even as Bangladesh arrive high on confidence after beating Pakistan.
Key Takeaways
Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first against India in Match 23 of the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at Old Trafford on 25 June .
Radha Yadav and Renuka Singh Thakur return to India's playing XI, marking two changes from the previous game.
India sit second in their group with four points and a net run-rate of +2.511 , with a high-stakes Australia clash to follow.
Bangladesh enter on the back of a victory over Pakistan , posing a credible threat to India's semi-final prospects.
Both teams face an intense heatwave at Old Trafford, adding to the physical challenge on the field.
Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first against India in the 23rd match of the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at Old Trafford, Manchester on Thursday, 25 June. India made two changes to their playing XI, with Radha Yadav and Renuka Singh Thakur returning to the lineup after being rested in previous matches.
India's Batting Concerns
India's campaign has been marked by a familiar inconsistency in the middle order. While dynamic openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma have delivered explosive starts, the innings have repeatedly failed to build on that foundation. Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Yastika Bhatia have collectively struggled to accelerate and construct meaningful partnerships — a pattern that has limited India's scoring potential.
The return of Radha Yadav and Renuka Singh Thakur signals a bowling-led approach, with India looking to tighten their execution on a pitch that Harmanpreet described as offering something for both bat and ball.
India's Semi-Final Equation
India currently occupy second place in their group with four points and a net run-rate of +2.511. With a potentially decisive clash against Australia to follow, a stumble here against Bangladesh could complicate their semi-final arithmetic significantly. The margin for error is narrow, and the team's management is clearly prioritising bowling depth with the two changes made.
Bangladesh's Confidence and Threat
Bangladesh enter this fixture buoyed by a convincing win over Pakistan in their previous game. Their strength lies in collective effort rather than individual brilliance — a team-first approach that has made them a difficult side to dismiss lightly. Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana acknowledged her batting unit has been through a rough patch but expressed confidence in a turnaround. 'We wanted to bat first. We want to put a score on the board. This is a really important game for us. We want to give our all for this game. Our batters have been in bad patches, and I hope that they will come back. Bowlers have been doing well. Same team,' she said after winning the toss.
Both sides must also contend with an intense heatwave at Old Trafford, adding a physical dimension to an already high-stakes contest.
What the Captains Said
After losing the toss, Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur remained measured in her assessment. 'I think it's a good wicket to bat on, but if you spend some time on the wicket, it is a really good. But there is something in it for the bowling group as well. Good pitch to bat and ball. We just have to react. First get the win and see how it goes,' she said.
Playing XIs
India Women: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Shree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur, Nandni Sharma
Bangladesh Women: Dilara Akter, Juairiya Ferdous, Sharmin Akhter, Nigar Sultana (wk/c), Sobhana Mostary, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Rabeya Khan, Nahida Akter, Shanjida Akter Meghla, Marufa Akter
With India needing a win to stay firmly on course for the semi-finals, how Harmanpreet's side handles the Bangladesh challenge — and the heat — at Old Trafford will be closely watched.
Point of View
Rodrigues, and Bhatia cannot convert starts into partnerships, no amount of bowling reinforcement will be enough. The return of Radha and Renuka addresses the wrong end of the problem. Bangladesh, meanwhile, are doing what well-coached sides do — winning through systems rather than stars. If India's batting unit does not fire against a disciplined Bangladesh attack, the Australia match may already be a must-win for survival rather than positioning.
NationPress
25 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the toss in India vs Bangladesh Women's T20 World Cup 2026 match?
Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first against India in Match 23 of the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at Old Trafford, Manchester on 25 June.
What changes did India make to their playing XI against Bangladesh?
India made two changes, bringing back Radha Yadav and Renuka Singh Thakur into the playing XI. The rest of the squad remained unchanged.
What is India's current standing in the Women's T20 World Cup 2026?
India are placed second in their group with four points and a net run-rate of +2.511 heading into the Bangladesh match. A win is crucial before a looming clash against Australia.
Why are Bangladesh considered a threat to India in this match?
Bangladesh enter the game with confidence after beating Pakistan in their previous fixture. Their team-first approach and disciplined bowling make them a genuine threat, and their captain has expressed belief in a batting revival.
What did Harmanpreet Kaur say about the pitch at Old Trafford?
Harmanpreet Kaur said the wicket was good to bat on if a batter spent time on it, but also offered something for the bowlers. She stressed the team's priority was simply to win and then assess their position.
