India launched their Women’s Asia Cup campaign with a commanding 94-run victory over Thailand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. While the win was emphatic, the team’s middle-order batting collapse remains a point of concern for the seven-time champions as they look ahead to the rest of the tournament.
Shafali Verma provided the initial momentum, smashing a blistering 64 off 36 balls. Her aggressive knock included eight boundaries and three sixes, marking her 19th T20I half-century. Despite a flying start from Smriti Mandhana, who contributed 19 off 10 balls before being run out, India’s momentum stalled when Thailand’s spinners began to find their rhythm.
Leg-spinner Suleeporn Laomi was instrumental in the fightback, finishing with 3/26, while off-spinner Sunida Chaturongrattana added 2/31. India lost four wickets for just 21 runs, slipping to 137/9 in the 18th over. A vital unbeaten 15 off eight balls from Kranti Goud eventually pushed the final total to 159/9.
The second half of the match belonged to Deepti Sharma, who produced a historic bowling performance. Playing in her 150th T20I, the 29-year-old became only the third Indian woman to reach this milestone, joining Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana. She finished with figures of 3/0, taking three wickets in just seven deliveries without conceding a run.
This remarkable spell brought her career tally to 171 wickets, establishing her as the outright leading wicket-taker in women’s T20I cricket. Deepti had earlier leveled with Thailand’s Thipatcha Putthawong on 170 wickets after a double-strike in the ninth over. She later returned in the 17th over to dismiss wicketkeeper-batter Nannapat Koncharoenkai, who had provided the only significant resistance for Thailand with a knock of 41.
Thailand was ultimately bowled out for 65 in 16.1 overs. Following this successful opener, India is scheduled to face Hong Kong this coming Thursday.
The tournament landscape remains busy, with various developments across the sport, including India A’s recent victory over Pakistan A in the Asia Cup Rising Stars and ongoing discussions regarding the high-profile India-Pakistan rivalry. Meanwhile, the broader sporting community continues to navigate various challenges, from international series results in Australia to tragic incidents, such as a recent lightning strike during a football match that resulted in a fatality and nine injuries. The report also notes that 29-year-old Deepti becomes only third Indian woman to reach 150 T20I appearances. The report also notes that leaving Thailand struggling at 44/6, deepti had earlier moved level with Thailand’s Thipatcha Putthawong on 170 wickets after striking twice in the ninth over. The report also notes that earlier, India appeared set for a much bigger total after racing past 100 in the first 10 overs. The report also notes that shafali then took charge and quickly raced to her half-century.