India survived a batting wobble to beat spirited Thailand in the Women’s Asia Cup

Results in brief: India (159/9) beat Thailand (65-all out in 16.1 overs) by 94 runs in a Group A match of the Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai.

Most important, the Scorecard

India opened their Women’s Asia Cup campaign with a 94-run victory over Thailand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, but a comfortable lead could not cover up another worrying batting collapse.

India appeared to be cruising towards a formidable total before their innings fell apart in the second half. They lost seven wickets for 36 runs, with Kranti Gauda’s late strike helping them get back to 159/9.

However, Thailand failed to capitalize on India’s stumbles as their batting folded under sustained pressure from an impressive Indian bowling attack. They were bowled out for 65 in 16.1 overs to hand India a commanding victory.

SHAFALI SETS INDIA ON COURSE FOR A BIG TOTAL

Shafali Verma scored 64 runs against Thailand. Courtesy: BCCI Women

India were on the attack from the start after being asked to bat, racing to 65/1 during the over. Smriti Mandhana provided the initial impetus with 19 off 10 balls, hitting four boundaries before being run out trying for the second run.

Pratika Rawal, making her T20I debut, continued the momentum with an encouraging 22 off 18 balls.. But it was Shafali Verma who really took the game to Thailand in the first half of the innings.

The opener attacked fearlessly and brought up his 19th T20I half-century from just 26 balls. By the time India reached 101/2 after 10 overs, Shafali was well set and India seemed destined for a total of 180 or more.

Instead, Thailand produced a spirited response.

THAILAND TURN THE GAME ON IT’S HEAD

Rawal’s dismissal in the ninth round gave Thailand their opening and they took full advantage of it. Shafali followed soon after, caught and bowled by Suleeporn Laomi for a brilliant 64 off 36 balls, hitting eight fours and three sixes.

Laomi became the main architect of Thailand’s comeback, finishing with an impressive 3/26. After removing Rawal and Shafali, she came back to dismiss Richa Ghosh for a golden duck, leaving India suddenly vulnerable.

The pressure told on the Indian middle order. Harmanpreet Kaur struggled for five off nine balls while Deepti Sharma was run out for five. India slumped from 112/4 to 137/9, losing the last five wickets for just 25 runs.

Kranti Gaud then provided a crucial late success as he smashed an unbeaten 15 off eight balls, including a six and a four, to lift India to 159/9. It was a total that looked below par given their dominant start, but the Indian bowlers soon made sure it was more than enough.

DEEPTI SCRIPTS LANDMARK BOWLING DISPLAY

Deepti Sharma picked up 3 wickets against Thailand. Courtesy: BCCI Women

Thailand needed a strong start to put India under pressure, but the Indian bowlers quickly took control. Kranti Gaud removed Natthakan Chantham early on before Nandani Sharma and Shree Charani continued the Thailand batting order.

Nandani produced an excellent spell, taking 3/18, including two wickets in two balls, while Charani returned 2/10. Prema Rawat was equally economical, conceding just 11 runs from her four overs.

However, the standout moment belonged to Deepti Sharma. In her 150th T20I appearance, she produced a remarkable spell of 3/0 in 1.1 overs. She struck with her first delivery, removing two wickets in her opening three balls before returning to take the last wicket of Nannapata Koncharoenkai.

This release had another meaning. It took Deepti to overtake Thailand captain Thipatcha Putthawong to become the all-time leading wicket-taker in women’s T20Is.

Nannapat was the only resistance for Thailand, cruising to 41 off 48 balls with five fours. But with wickets falling around her, she could do little to keep the chase alive. Thailand were eventually bowled out for 65 in 16.1 overs.

India’s bowling performance was clinical, although their fielding was less convincing, with two catches falling. Those lapses didn’t prove costly against Thailand, but remain an area for improvement.

The win puts India top of Group A, but with Hong Kong to follow before a potentially tougher game against Pakistan, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side will know their batting – and fielding – needs to sharpen up considerably.

– The end

Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

30 Aug 2026 23:18 IST