Shafali confident India's middle order will shine in Bangladesh semifinal

Shafali expressed confidence that a streak of underperformance by India's middle-order batters should not be viewed as a cause for alarm ahead of the crucial knockout match. The Indian squad has endured a difficult run in recent games, with players in the middle order failing to contribute significantly.

"There have been a few bad days, but these are very good players and excellent batters," Shafali told media on Wednesday. She specifically highlighted the abilities of finishers Bharti Fulmali and Richa Ghosh, noting that both have demonstrated their credentials both as middle-order contributors and in the lower order.

India have had four days to prepare for the semifinal following their previous fixture, a break that Shafali said proved beneficial for recovery and training. "We had good preparation. We got four days of break where we recovered well and conducted quality practice sessions," she added.

The Indian team will face Bangladesh in the semifinal on Thursday, with the winner advancing to the final of the regional tournament. Shafali's backing of the middle order reflects the team's overall confidence as they prepare for what promises to be a closely contested match against their neighbours.