India open Asia Cup campaign with dominant 94-run win over Thailand
India launched their Women's T20 Asia Cup campaign with a commanding 94-run victory over Thailand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, bowling their opponents out for 65 after setting a target of 160.
Opting to bat first, India posted 159/9, powered by opener Shafali Verma's 36-ball 64. Smriti Mandhana contributed a brisk 10-ball knock that included four boundaries before her dismissal. The pair put on 38 runs in three overs, and along with debutant Pratika Rawal, helped India reach 65 in the powerplay.
India's innings, however, was not without its challenges. After a solid start, the team slipped from 91/1 to 137/9 in a span of 50 deliveries, with Thailand's bowlers, led by Suleeporn Laomi's three wickets, applying pressure in the middle overs. Kranti Gaud's late hitting added 22 runs in the final couple of overs.
In response, Thailand never threatened the target. Their chase began poorly when Nattakam Chantam was dismissed in the opening over by Gaud. Sree Charani took two wickets, while Nandni Sharma and Deepti Sharma each claimed three to dismantle the Thai batting order. Nannapat Koncharoenkai was the only notable scorer with a 48-ball 41, with Suleeporn Laomi's 6 being the joint second-highest score in the innings as Thailand were bowled out for 65.
After the match, Shafali Verma praised the team's spin bowling unit, highlighting the experience of Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, and Radha Yadav. "They are all really mature, and we all know this is a turning track, turning conditions. They all showed very good bowling. They are in a very good space, and they bowled really well. So we are happy as a team that our bowlers are in a good mindset," she said.
Reflecting on India's middle-order collapse, Shafali acknowledged that Thailand's spinners bowled well and said the team would work on improving their approach in the middle overs. "As a batter, I was set at that time. I just made a bit of a mistake. The ball gripped a little bit and came on a little late. I might have played it grounded, but it's just a day," she added.