Big picture: India start as overwhelming favourites
India’s middle-order batting and catching were causes for concern at the Asia Cup, but overall, they have hardly been challenged by any Asian team of late.
Bangladesh will play their first match at the Asian Games after their quarter-final against China was washed out without a ball bowled. They have been a strong bowling side but with the bat, they have often been guilty of playing too many dot balls (they in their last game, the Asia Cup semi-final against India, they played out 64 dots and fell 40 short) and leaving runs behind. The likes of Sobhana Mostary, Nigar Sultana and Shorna Akter can score crucial runs and quickly, but collectively, their batting unit will have to step up for them to be competitive.
Bangladesh LWLWL (last five completed T20Is, most recent first)
India WWWWW
Bangladesh’s last win against India came in 2023.
In the spotlight: Marufa Akter and Shafali Verma
Bangladesh are likely to field the same team that played in the Asia Cup.
Bangladesh (probable) : 1 Dilara Akter, 2 Juairiya Ferdous, 3 Sobhana Mostary, 4 Nigar Sultana (capt, wk), 5 Sharmin Akter, 6 Shorna Akter, 7 Fahima Khatun, 8 Nahida Akter, 9 Rabeya Khan, 10 Sultana Khatun, 11 Marufa Akter
The notable change in India’s XI against Japan was the return of offspinner Shreyanka Patil, who was out for three months after injuring her ankle. G Kamalini is expected to play at No. 3 after opening the innings against Japan.
India (probable): India: 1 Smriti Mandhana, 2 Shafali Verma, 3 G Kamalini, 4 Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), 5 Richa Ghosh (wk), 6 Bharti Fulmali, 7 Deepti Sharma, 8 Shreyanka Patil, 9 Kranti Gaud, 10 N Shree Charani, 11 Nandani Sharma
