India, Sept. 10 -- Seven-time champions India will start as overwhelming favourites when they face a gritty Bangladesh side in the first semifinal of the Women's Asia Cup here on Thursday - a high-stakes clash defined by intense on-field rivalry and underlying political subtext.

Diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Dhaka have experienced a strain following political transitions in Bangladesh, and broader tensions between the two neighbours in the past have often spilled over into the cricket field, and the trend is likely to continue.

Indian men's team's tour of Bangladesh has been postponed on multiple occasions due to prevailing political tension. As far as cricket is concerned, Harmanpreet Kaur's side have been in imperious for...