Led by three strikes apiece from Nandni Sharma and Deepti Sharma, India cruised to a snug 94-run win over Thailand to kickstart their Asia Cup 2026 marketing campaign in model in Dubai. Chasing 160 for victory, Thailand have been bundled out for 65, with solely Nannapat Koncharoenkai making a notable contribution with the bat on Sunday, stroking a 48-ball 41.
Regardless of the massive margin of victory, India’s efficiency wasn’t with out its share of worries. Put in to bat, the match favourites blazed away to a fast begin led by Shafali Verma’s 36-ball 64. She was ably supported by Smriti Mandhana from the opposite finish because the southpaw cracked 4 boundaries in her quick 10-ball keep. The duo picked up 38 runs in three overs earlier than Shafali carried on the carnage within the firm of debutant Pratika Rawal, and helped India to 65 runs within the powerplay.
Whereas Pratika was measured along with her strokeplay, Shafali wasn’t hesitant to chop free. Nevertheless, quickly after the partnership had flourished previous the 50-run mark, Rawal was cleaned up by a supply from Suleeporn Laomi that stayed low after pitching. That dismissal triggered a collapse as India slipped from 91 for 1 to 137 for 9, in an area of fifty deliveries, with Laomi including two extra scalps to her credit score. Kranti Gaud’s large hits within the final couple of overs helped India add 22 runs within the final couple of overs.
Nevertheless, as soon as the chase started, Thailand by no means appeared to threaten the goal. The slide began from the opening over when Nattakam Chantam was cleaned up by Gaud. Sree Charani struck twice whereas Nandni and Deepti ripped via the center and decrease order with three strikes every. Barring Koncharoenkai, not one of the different batters managed to register a double-digit rating, with Laomi’s 6 being the joint second finest rating of the innings.
Transient Scores: India 159/9 in 20 overs (Shafali Verma 64, Pratika Rawal 22; Suleeporn Laomi 3-26) beat Thailand 65 in 16.1 overs (Nannapat Koncharoenkai 41; Deepti Sharma 3-0, Nandni Sharma 3-18) by 94 runs
