Dubai, August 2026 : India squandered a commanding start against Thailand as a dramatic middle-order collapse left them restricted to 159/9 in their Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Group A encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
India appeared firmly in control after reaching 101/2 at the halfway stage, but Thailand produced an impressive turnaround with disciplined bowling and sharp fielding. The seven-time champions managed only 58 runs while losing six wickets in the final 10 overs, allowing Thailand to remain firmly in the contest.
Opener Shafali Verma provided the foundation for India’s innings with a blistering 64 off just 36 deliveries. Her aggressive knock included eight boundaries and three sixes and marked her 19th T20I half-century. However, India struggled to convert their strong start into a commanding total.
A late contribution from the final-wicket pair of Kranti Gaud and Shree Charani proved crucial in taking India beyond the 150-run mark. Gaud smashed a six and a boundary off Thailand captain Thipatcha Putthawong in the final over as India finished at 159/9.
Thailand’s standout performer with the ball was leg-spinner Suleeporn Laomi, who returned impressive figures of 3/26. Maintaining a disciplined stump-to-stump line, she repeatedly troubled India’s batters and played a decisive role in triggering the collapse. Sunida Chaturongrattana claimed 2/31, while stand-in captain Putthawong finished with 1/37.
Thailand opted to bowl after winning the toss but were immediately placed under pressure by India’s aggressive opening. Smriti Mandhana struck three boundaries off Phannita Maya in the first over, while Shafali quickly joined the attack, finding the boundary twice and clearing the ropes once.
India’s opening partnership, however, ended at 38 when Mandhana was run out for 19 while attempting a second run. Aphisara Suwanchonrathi produced a direct hit to catch Mandhana short of her ground.
Shafali continued her assault by hitting Putthawong for consecutive boundaries, while debutant Pratika Rawal announced her arrival on the international T20 stage with an impressive inside-out six against Sunida in the fifth over.
India raced to 65/1 during the powerplay, their highest six-over score in Women’s T20 Asia Cup history, putting Thailand under considerable pressure.
Shafali brought up her half-century from only 26 balls in the ninth over, clearing long-on for six against Suleeporn. But the leg-spinner responded immediately, breaking India’s 53-run second-wicket partnership on the very next delivery.
Pratika, attempting to back away from the ball, missed a delivery that stayed low and was bowled for 22. Her dismissal triggered India’s collapse.
Thailand captain Putthawong then removed Harmanpreet Kaur, who top-edged the ball towards point. Suleeporn subsequently delivered the biggest blow in the 13th over by taking two wickets from consecutive deliveries.
First, Shafali attempted to attack a cross-seam delivery but chipped it straight back to the bowler, ending a spectacular 64 off 36 balls. On the next delivery, Richa Ghosh mistimed an inside-out shot to cover and was dismissed without scoring.
With India losing three wickets in quick succession, the lower order struggled to establish partnerships. Bharti Fulmali made 13 before pulling Sunida straight to deep mid-wicket, while Deepti Sharma was run out for five after Suleeporn produced another sharp piece of fielding with a direct hit from cover.
Thailand maintained the pressure through the closing overs. Sunida had Prema Rawat stumped for six, while Chanida Sutthiruang bowled Nandni Sharma for one in the 18th over.
India’s final-wicket pair then provided some much-needed momentum. Kranti Gaud struck a six and a boundary in the last over to add 22 valuable runs with Shree Charani and lift India to 159/9.
With India losing six wickets for just 58 runs in the second half of their innings, Thailand will take considerable confidence into their chase. India, meanwhile, will need their bowlers to defend what appeared to be a strong total at the halfway mark but became considerably less imposing after the late collapse.
Brief Scores: India 159/9 in 20 overs (Shafali Verma 64, Pratika Rawal 22; Suleeporn Laomi 3/26, Sunida Chaturongrattana 2/31) vs Thailand.
