Having already sealed a spot in the semifinals, India will look to iron out the final chinks in their game when they face Bangladesh in their last league-stage fixture of the ICC Women’s World Cup on Sunday. The focus now shifts to addressing batting depth, middle-order stability, and handling high-pressure moments as the knockout phase inches closer. Although a victory against Bangladesh will not alter India’s position in the points table — where they are locked in at fourth with a maximum possible tally of eight points — it remains a crucial preparation match ahead of the semifinals on October 30. The outcome of Saturday’s game between Australia and South Africa in Indore will determine India’s semifinal opponent, with the table-topper set to face them.

India’s confidence received a timely boost after a dominant win over New Zealand in a rain-hit encounter that showcased their batting firepower. Centuries from Smriti Mandhana (105 off 95) and rising star Pratika Rawal (122 off 134) powered India to 340/3 before showers intervened. Jemimah Rodrigues added valuable support with a fluent 76*, while Renuka Singh Thakur’s early strikes helped restrict the White Ferns to 271/8 in a revised chase. However, while Rawal’s innings was impressive, her 63 dot balls highlighted scope for improvement in strike rotation — an area India may seek to polish against Bangladesh.

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Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, whose form has been indifferent this World Cup apart from a gritty 70 against England, will look to find rhythm before the knockout phase. Richa Ghosh’s limited role in the previous match due to injury left India’s lower order relatively untested, raising questions about finishing firepower in crunch games. The team might also use this opportunity to test batting combinations and gain experience bowling under dew if the conditions call for it.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, have already been eliminated after failing to chase nine runs in the final over against Sri Lanka in their last group match. Despite spirited performances from skipper Nigar Sultana (77) and Shorna Akter (3/27), their campaign ended with just two points. For India, Sunday’s contest is less about the result and more about ensuring rhythm, readiness, and mental sharpness before the high-stakes semifinal clash later this week.

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