Harmanpreet Kaur rues batting collapse for Bangladesh loss

India lost their last six wickets for just 11 runs and eventually managed to put up just 102 for 9 in their 20 overs in the third T20 International (T20I) against Bangladesh in Dhaka. As a result, India lost the game by four wickets but clinched the series 2-1. This was just the third time Bangladesh have beaten India in T20Is.

Reflecting on the match, player of the series and India captain Harmanpreet Kaur said that the batting collapse eventually cost them the game.

"This wicket, we need to depend on singles. Our batting collapsed; we could not get even six runs an over. The five overs were the game-changer. We did not get the total we were expecting," Harmanpreet, who finished with 94 runs at 47 in the three-match series said.

India will now play three One-Day Internationals (ODI), starting Sunday (July 16), all set to be played on Mirpur, which has proved to be a slow wicket, dominated by the spinners. Harmanpreet believes the key will be to rotate strike well.

"This will be a low-scoring tournament. We need to keep rotating the strike, and focus on the dot balls. We need to set up long-term goals. Let's see how we plan the next three games," she said.

Bangladesh came within touching distance of winning the second T20I. But a batting collapse of their own saw India clinch the series. However, skipper Nigar Sultana believes the win in the third T20I has given the side the belief that they can beat good sides like India. 

"Before the ODI series, we needed momentum, and today how we bowled, it is going to give us that. They [bowlers] showed character. After the last match, everyone was confident. We know what we are capable of. We need to keep our positive cricket. Was very confident of our team, and I know their potential. We are capable of beating good teams," Sultana said.

The three ODIs to follow will be part of the ICC Women's Championship, one of the pathways for direct qualification for the ODI World Cup 2025.