Dubai, Aug 2026 : India began their Women’s Asia Cup 2026 campaign in commanding fashion, defeating Thailand by 94 runs at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. A blistering half-century from opener Shafali Verma laid the foundation for India’s 159/9, before the bowlers produced a clinical performance to dismiss Thailand for just 65 in 16.1 overs.
Chasing 160 for victory, Thailand struggled from the outset as India’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure and picked up wickets at regular intervals. Nannapat Koncharoenkai emerged as the only significant resistance for Thailand, scoring 41 off 48 deliveries, but a lack of support from the other end meant the chase never gathered momentum.
India, who elected to bat first, made a strong start through Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma. Mandhana looked comfortable during her brief stay at the crease, scoring 19 from 10 balls, but was run out while attempting a second run.
Making her T20I debut, Pratika Rawal showed promise and added 22 from 18 balls. She helped India maintain the momentum before Thailand's bowlers began to fight back.
Shafali then took control of the innings, launching an aggressive counterattack against the Thai bowling attack. The right-handed batter smashed 64 from just 36 balls, including eight fours and three sixes, to register her 19th half-century in women's T20I cricket.
India raced to 91/1 after 8.5 overs and appeared set for a substantially bigger total. However, their innings suddenly lost momentum as Thailand exploited a series of loose shots and produced disciplined fielding.
India slipped from 91/1 to 137/9, losing eight wickets for just 46 runs. Pratika was bowled by leg-spinner Suleeporn Laomi after backing away and missing a delivery that stayed low. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur was then dismissed after top-edging a delivery to point.
Laomi subsequently delivered another decisive blow by dismissing Shafali, who chipped a cross-seam delivery back to the bowler. Richa Ghosh departed without scoring on the following delivery, leaving India in a difficult position.
Laomi finished with impressive figures of 3/26 from her four overs, while Sunida Chaturongrattana claimed 2/31. Thailand's fielding also played a major role, with Laomi producing a direct hit to run out Deepti Sharma for five.
With India's lower order under pressure, Kranti Gaud provided an important late surge. She struck 15 from just eight deliveries to help India reach 159/9, giving the bowlers a defendable total despite the middle-order collapse.
Thailand's chase quickly unravelled once the Indian attack got into its rhythm. Indian bowlers maintained tight lines and prevented the Thai batters from building partnerships.
Deepti Sharma led the attack brilliantly, finishing with three wickets for just one run. Nandani Sharma also claimed three wickets for 18 runs as Thailand's batting order struggled to cope with India's bowling pressure.
Koncharoenkai fought a lone battle, making 41 from 48 balls, but Thailand's remaining batters failed to provide meaningful support. With wickets falling regularly, the innings folded for 65 in 16.1 overs.
India's comprehensive 94-run victory gives the seven-time champions an ideal start to their continental campaign and an early boost in Group A. Shafali's explosive batting, combined with a disciplined bowling performance, ensured that Thailand never came close to challenging India's total.
Brief Scores
India Women: 159/9 in 20 overs
Shafali Verma 64, Pratika Rawal 22; Suleeporn Laomi 3/26, Sunida Chaturongrattana 2/31
Thailand Women: 65 all out in 16.1 overs
Nannapat Koncharoenkai 41; Deepti Sharma 3/1, Nandani Sharma 3/18
India won by 94 runs.
