Experienced India ease past Thailand despite stumble
India won their opening encounter against Thailand in the Women's Asia Cup by a comprehensive margin of 94 runs.
India, placed third in the ICC Women's T20I Team Rankings, overcame the 12th placed Thailand by 94-runs to open their Asia Cup campaign with a win.
With experience aplenty at the international level, and also in the UAE - where they featured in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in 2024 - India were off to a fiery start before a stumble saw them lose 8 wickets for 46 runs.
Suleeporn Laomi (3/26), Sunida Chaturongrattana (2/31) and Chanida Sutthiruang (1/14) were all over India as the sub-continental team were in danger of being bowled out before eventually finishing at 159/9.
Shafali Verma was India's attacking mainstay, smashing 64 off 36 balls with eight fours and three sixes. She offered a return catch to Laomi amidst India's collapse.
Shafali Verma on the charge | Women's T20WC 2026
Shafali Verma takes the attack to the Aussies with a thumping six over extra cover at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
"I made mistake that time. The ball had a little bit of grip. I might have played it grounded, but its just how today was," Shafali reflected after the game.
"Just talking about the team, we are all trying to do well. Thailand bowlers bowled very well.
"We tried to show good cricket in the middle, but credit to Thailand. So happy that women's cricket is growing."
A peach from Suleeporn Laomi | WCWCQ 2025
What a ball! Thailand's Suleeporn Laomi gets Katherine Fraser with a peach at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2025.
India's middle-order, without the experienced Jemimah Rodrigues, faltered under the lights in Dubai, as Thailand managed to run through the batting with ease.
"We all knew that this would be a turning track. We'll go back and see where we're going wrong as a batting unit and where we can improve," Shafali added.
India were well aware of how the wicket in Dubai plays out, and used that knowledge to their advantage.
"Two years back we came here for the World Cup, so we knew the conditions," Shafali said.
"I practiced back at home with the same in mind.
"The ball comes nicely when its new, when it gets old, there's a bit of hold. I'm aware of the conditions and play accordingly."
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Watch the highlights of Deepti Sharma's match-winning spell of 5/10 against Pakistan at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026.
Besides a feisty start, India were impeccable with the ball, with four bowlers being among wickets, with Deepti Sharma (3/0) and Nandni Sharma (3/18) leading the charts.
Despite the result, Shafali lauded the Thai spirit and hoped the team improved in their coming games.
"(I'm) so happy that women's cricket is growing. Talking about UAE and Thailand, I'd love to play more cricket with them. If they get more cricket, they'll grow more. I'll just say to them to keep working hard. And we're all so happy to see the improvements in women's cricket."
Thailand are next up against Pakistan on September 1, while India go up against Hong Kong, China on September 3.