Shafali Verma blazed her way to a 53 off 34 balls as India chased down 136 with 19 balls to spare, defeating Bangladesh by five wickets in Match 23 of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup at Old Trafford, Manchester, on 25 June. The commanding victory, built on a record-breaking Powerplay and an all-round bowling effort, keeps India firmly in contention in the tournament.

Shafali Sets the Tone from Ball One

India came out with clear attacking intent from the opening over. Shafali smashed two boundaries off Marufa Akter to collect 11 runs in the first over alone, and continued in that vein — launching a six and another boundary in the second. At the other end, Smriti Mandhana struck consecutive boundaries before being caught by Rabeya Khan at cover for 8 off 6 balls.

The early loss of Mandhana barely registered. Shafali and Yastika Bhatia dominated the Powerplay, punishing anything short or full, and raced India to 63/1 after six overs — their highest-ever Powerplay score in Women's T20 World Cup history, surpassing the previous record of 59 set earlier in the tournament against the Netherlands.

A Record-Breaking Half-Century

Shafali brought up her fifty in just 29 deliveries during the seventh over — the second-fastest fifty by an Indian batter in Women's T20 World Cup history. Her innings of 53 included eight fours and a six before it ended unusually in the ninth over: she stepped out of her crease after missing a delivery and was stumped by the wicketkeeper.

By then, India's chase was effectively won. The platform Shafali had built gave every batter who followed her the luxury of time.

Middle-Order Keeps India on Course

Yastika Bhatia contributed a measured 23 off 18 before being dismissed in the 12th over. Richa Ghosh added quick runs before being trapped leg-before by Rabeya Khan for 10. Bangladesh's spinners briefly tightened the screws, creating a few quiet overs as Jemimah Rodrigues and captain Harmanpreet Kaur took time to settle.

Jemimah then broke free in the 16th over with a six, followed by back-to-back boundaries in the next, finishing with a brisk 26 off 15 balls — three fours and a six — before being dismissed with the target in sight. Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma completed the formalities as India reached 139/5 in 16.5 overs.

Bangladesh's Innings: Ferdous and Nigar Provide Resistance

Invited to bat, Bangladesh posted 136/8 in 20 overs. After losing Dilara Akter for 4 in the second over to Renuka Singh Thakur, the innings was rebuilt through a 51-run partnership between opener Juairiya Ferdous and Sobhana Mostary. Ferdous struck five boundaries in her 33-run knock; Mostary contributed 22 off 26.

Captain Nigar Sultana anchored and then accelerated, hitting four boundaries in a single over off Nandini Sharma and finishing with 32 off 24 balls. Her dismissal in the 17th over triggered a collapse in momentum, with Bangladesh losing impetus in the closing overs. India's fielders put down several chances during the innings, allowing Bangladesh to build beyond what their early wickets suggested.

Shree Charani Makes Women's T20 WC History

Radha Yadav was India's most effective bowler with 3/28, breaking crucial partnerships throughout. Renuka Singh Thakur and Nandini Sharma picked up one wicket each. But the standout performer with the ball was Shree Charani, who claimed 2/24 — including two wickets in the final over — to take her tournament tally to 12 wickets.

That figure makes Charani the first Indian woman to take 12 wickets in a single edition of the Women's T20 World Cup, surpassing the previous national record of 10 wickets held by Poonam Yadav. With India's momentum building, all eyes will now be on their next fixture and whether this batting depth and Charani's wicket-taking form can carry them deeper into the tournament.