India Women’s cricket team faces must-win matches against Bangladesh and Australia in the T20 World Cup 2026 after a loss to South Africa. Can they repeat past
The India women’s cricket team finds itself in a critical position for the second consecutive year in a World Cup campaign. Following initial victories against Pakistan and the Netherlands in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, the team experienced a six-wicket defeat to South Africa in a Group A match on Sunday, June 21. This outcome necessitates wins in their upcoming two matches against Bangladesh and Australia to maintain their hopes for a semi-final spot.
The team is drawing upon their experience from the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, where they overcame a challenging start to secure their first women’s world title. All-rounder Shafali Verma mentioned that captain Harmanpreet Kaur reminded the team of their past experiences in similar high-pressure situations. India had previously recovered from three consecutive defeats against South Africa, Australia, and England in 2025 to reach the final four.
Verma stated that the team is focused on optimal preparation and mutual motivation to secure the necessary victories. She also indicated a desire to replicate strategies that proved successful during their previous comeback. The team aims to identify what worked for them in the past and apply those lessons to their current situation.
Upcoming Challenges
Four teams in Group A are still competing for the two semi-final berths. While Australia leads the group with eight points after winning all their matches, India, South Africa, and Bangladesh are all level on four points. India’s next match is against Bangladesh in Manchester on Thursday, followed by a final group stage encounter with six-time champions Australia on Sunday.
The match against Bangladesh at Old Trafford, Manchester, is crucial for Harmanpreet Kaur’s squad. In their previous game against South Africa, despite a promising start with both bat and ball, India could not secure a win. The bowlers had limited runs to defend, and missed opportunities, such as dropped catches, could have intensified pressure on the South African side.
During India’s batting innings against South Africa, openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma provided a strong start. However, the middle-order did not perform as expected. Marizanne Kapp‘s all-round performance was instrumental in guiding South Africa to victory. India will need strong performances from its players against Bangladesh, particularly from individuals like Harmanpreet and Jemimah Rodrigues, who have notable ODI innings in their careers but have not yet found their rhythm in the current tournament.
Shafali Verma’s Evolving Role
Shafali Verma has been increasingly effective with the ball, contributing as an all-rounder. She attributes her growing impact as a bowler to deliberate preparation and visualisation. Verma, primarily known for her aggressive batting, has become a valuable bowling option, often delivering important breakthroughs. She opened the attack with her off-spin against South Africa in India’s last World Cup game.
Verma mentioned that she has always prepared for bowling opportunities, even during domestic cricket. She visualises different match situations and how she would execute her bowling. This meticulous approach has allowed her to perform well when given the chance. She embraces additional responsibility and is prepared to contribute in various roles to help the team succeed.
Verma also shared that her father encouraged her to bowl from an early age, even though batting was her main focus. She stated that she enjoys being a player who can help the team win matches. The team’s six-wicket loss to South Africa has left them with minimal room for error, requiring victories in their remaining two league matches to advance to the knockout stage.
Shafali Verma emphasised the team’s focus on moving past the South Africa setback and concentrating on one game at a time. She noted that the team discussed their situation in a huddle, acknowledging the importance of the upcoming games and committing to supporting each other. The team is drawing confidence from their past comeback in the ODI World Cup, where they navigated a difficult situation to remain in the tournament.
Verma reiterated that the team will not underestimate any opponent, including Bangladesh, and will strive to perform their best in each match. The team is prepared to apply lessons learned from previous challenging situations to their current campaign, with the next match against Bangladesh scheduled for Thursday.
Source: icc-cricket.com
