When India takes on the reigning champions Bangladesh in the SAFF Women's Championships summit match here on Saturday, they will start as favourites because to their perfect tournament record and abundance of goals. With a victory over fierce rivals Bangladesh, whom they defeated 3-0 in the group round, India will be aiming for a record-extending sixth regional championship triumph. Bangladesh won the trophy after defeating Nepal twice in 2022 and 2024, preventing India from even making it to the finals after winning five titles in a row.

With Panthoi Chanu beneath the bar, India hopes to finish the tournament with a clean sheet after scoring 15 goals so far—14 in the group stage and one against Bhutan in the semifinals—and giving up none.
The team's attacking power has also increased after star striker Manisha Kalyan returned in the semifinals. She would be excited to showcase her skills against the same opponents after missing out on the group match against Bangladesh.
After being released by her Peruvian club Alianza Lima for the June FIFA international match window, which ran from June 1 to June 9, the 24-year-old joined the team on Tuesday.Aveka Singh, a young midfielder from Delhi who plays for the Danish women's second-tier team Naestved HG, has been playing at her best. With four goals, all from the 11-0 victory over the Maldives, the 22-year-old is currently the tournament's top scorer. She would like to get closer to Manisha up front and cause problems for the defenders of Bangladesh.
Panthoi, the goalie, has been reliable under the bar, and head coach Chhetri would want to see her keep up the good work.
In the absence of Sweety Devi Ngangbam, who captained the team during the Asian Cup in March and was hurt during the competition, Shilky Devi Hemam has led the team well thus far.

Historically though, India have enjoyed the upper hand in this rivalry. India have won 10 of the 13 meetings between the two sides, drawing one and losing two. Both those losses came in the last two SAFF Women's Championships in 2022 and 2024.

Indian squad: Panthoi Chanu Elangbam, Ribansi Jamu, Shreya Hooda, Astam Oraon, Juli Kishan, Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam, Purnima Kumari, Ranjana Chanu Sorokhaibam, Sarita Yumnam, Thoibisana Chanu Toijam, Aveka Singh, Jasoda Munda, Priyangka Devi Naorem, Sanfida Nongrum, Sangita Basfore, Shilky Devi Hemam, Grace Dangmei, Karishma Shirvoikar, Lynda Kom Serto, Malavika P, Manisha Kalyan, Pyari Xaxa, Soumya Guguloth.