DUBAI, August 30: India opened their Women’s Asia Cup 2026 campaign with a 94-run victory over Thailand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Shafali Verma’s 64 powered India to 159 for nine before the bowlers dismissed Thailand for 65 in 16.1 overs.
Shafali was named Player of the Match after hitting eight fours and three sixes in a 36-ball innings. Pratika Rawal made 22 from 18 balls on her T20I debut, while Deepti Sharma marked her 150th T20 international by taking three wickets without conceding a run.
India vs Thailand Women’s Asia Cup 2026 result
India Women 159/9 in 20 overs beat Thailand Women 65 all out in 16.1 overs by 94 runs.
- India top scorer: Shafali Verma 64 off 36 balls
- Pratika Rawal on debut: 22 off 18 balls
- Thailand top scorer: Nannapat Koncharoenkai 41
- India’s leading bowlers: Deepti Sharma 3/0, Nandni Sharma 3/18, Shree Charani 2/10
- Thailand’s leading bowlers: Suleeporn Laomi 3/26, Sunida Chaturongrattana 2/31
- Player of the Match: Shafali Verma
Shafali Verma turns a fast start into the match-winning score
Thailand chose to bowl and India attacked immediately. Smriti Mandhana struck four boundaries in a rapid 19 from 10 balls before being run out, while Shafali continued to force the pace. Her half-century gave India control of the powerplay and carried the innings through a significant middle-order wobble.
Shafali reached 64 from 36 balls at a strike rate of 177.77. Her eight fours and three sixes provided most of India’s momentum and proved decisive on a surface where Thailand later struggled to score. She was eventually caught and bowled by Suleeporn Laomi.
Pratika Rawal makes her T20I debut
Pratika Rawal received her India cap after being selected as the replacement for the injured Jemimah Rodrigues. Batting at No. 3, Rawal made 22 from 18 balls with two fours and a six before Laomi bowled her.
The innings offered a first look at how India may use Rawal in the tournament. She showed intent but could not build a longer partnership after the quick opening stand. Her inclusion gives India another top-order option while Rodrigues continues rehabilitation from a hamstring injury.
Thailand fight back after India reach 101/2
India appeared set for a total well above 180 when the score reached 101 for two after 10 overs. Thailand then pulled the innings back with disciplined, wicket-to-wicket bowling. Harmanpreet Kaur fell for five, Richa Ghosh was dismissed first ball and the middle order lost momentum.
India slipped to 137 for nine before the final pair added valuable runs and pushed the score to 159. Laomi finished with three for 26, while Sunida Chaturongrattana took two for 31. The fightback was an encouraging phase for Thailand even though the target remained beyond their batting lineup.
Deepti Sharma and Nandni Sharma close out the chase
Thailand never developed a sustainable chase after India’s bowlers struck regularly. Nannapat Koncharoenkai resisted with 41, but little support formed around her as wickets fell at the other end.
Deepti delivered a remarkable spell of three wickets without conceding a run in her landmark 150th T20I. Nandni Sharma took three for 18 and Shree Charani claimed two for 10. Thailand were bowled out for 65 from 16.1 overs, leaving India with a 94-run win.
What the result means for Group A
India collected two points from their first match and gained a major early net-run-rate boost from the 94-run margin. Thailand now have one win and one defeat after beating Hong Kong, China by six runs in the tournament opener. The group also includes Pakistan, making every result and net run rate potentially important in the race for the semi-finals.
The performance also gave India two contrasting lessons: Shafali’s power and the spin attack produced a dominant result, but the collapse from 101 for two to 137 for nine will demand attention against stronger bowling attacks.
India’s next Women’s Asia Cup match
India will play Hong Kong, China at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday, September 3. The match is scheduled to begin at 8:00 pm IST. India then face Pakistan on September 5.
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