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Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty noted a significant shift in the team's mindset during the India series, highlighting how this transformation has reverberated beyond the boundaries of the cricket field.

She emphasized that this change is not only evident within the team but is also influencing the broader social mindset. Looking ahead, Bangladesh is gearing up to face Australia in the inaugural ODI of a three-match series at Mirpur's Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium this Thursday.

Bangladesh’s last assignment was also against South Africa, when they travelled there to play three ODIs in December. Tigresses stunned the Proteas in the first 50-over game, winning by 119 runs, before the hosts recovered to claim the series 2-1.

The Tigers have also enjoyed success at home over the past year, tying a series against India 1-1 and defeating Pakistan 2-1.

Joty, while speaking at the pre-match press conference, spoke about the mindset changing since the India series where they drew 1-1 with the nail-biting third ODI ending in a tie.

"Definitely I think it [mindset] changed in everyone. India is the kind of team, that if you perform against them, you are in focus in world cricket. I would say it was a positive for us. People now know who Marufa [Akter] is or who is Nahida [Akter]. Recently Nahida has bowled outstandingly and she was in the ODI team of the year. So individually, players are coming into focus. So I would say that series helped us turn around plus our popularity increased," Joty said.

"When we were playing against India, the journalists' questions were like, 'Will you be able to win or what will happen', but today it feels like a success that we will be playing Australia and no-one is asking that question. Questions have been about how good it will be to win. That's a success," she added.

Joty highlighted disparities in the facilities provided to the women's team compared to their male counterparts but emphasized the growing attention their team is receiving, showcasing their increasing prominence.

She also discussed the significance of the recent sponsorship agreement between the BCB and Coca-Cola, expressing optimism that such partnerships would open up avenues for advancement within the women's game.

"Obviously, to do well against them [Australia] we have to play our best. The facilities and focus they get, there is no difference there with men's cricket [in Australia]. There is a lot of difference in our country in that regard but we will say that we have been doing well. For the first time we have a sponsor which is good sign that people aren't taking us lightly and taking us seriously,”

"Even the media is focusing on us and previously when we were playing a series, there was no such media presence. So new opportunities are being created in women's cricket and with that I am hoping that number of new players will increase. They will know there are facilities and they can support their families through this," she added.