India kicked off their campaign in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup with a resounding 94-run victory over Thailand on Sunday, showcasing their dominance despite a late batting collapse. The match, held in Dubai, saw India post a total of 159 runs for the loss of nine wickets, with opener Shafali Verma delivering a standout performance that included a blistering half-century.
Shafali anchored the Indian innings with an impressive score of 64 runs off just 36 balls, featuring eight boundaries and three sixes. Her explosive batting helped India reach a strong position at 113-1 before the team experienced a dramatic downturn, losing eight wickets for just 46 runs. This collapse was highlighted by a return catch that saw Shafali dismissed by Suleeporn Laomi, who was instrumental in Thailand's bowling attack.
Laomi finished with impressive figures of 3-26, while her teammates Sunida Chaturongrattana and Chanida Sutthiruang contributed with 2-31 and 1-14, respectively. Following the batting collapse, Shafali reflected on her dismissal, acknowledging a mistake in her shot selection. “I made a mistake that time. The ball had a little bit of grip,” she stated, emphasizing the need for improvement within the batting unit.
India's middle order struggled during the innings, particularly in the absence of seasoned player Jemimah Rodrigues. Shafali noted the challenges posed by the pitch conditions, stating, “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.”
In response, India's bowlers took charge, effectively dismantling the Thai batting lineup. Deepti Sharma and Nandni Sharma each claimed three wickets, leading to Thailand's total of just 65 runs, resulting in a comprehensive defeat. The Indian bowlers leveraged their experience from the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup held in the UAE, which allowed them to adapt quickly to the playing conditions.
Shafali expressed confidence in her team's understanding of the pitch, stating, “Two years back we came here for the World Cup, so we knew the conditions. The ball comes nicely when it’s new. When it gets old, there’s a bit of hold. I’m aware of the conditions and play accordingly.”
Despite the heavy loss, Shafali praised the progress of the Thai team, advocating for more international exposure to help them grow in the sport. “I’m so happy that women’s cricket is growing,” she remarked. “If they get more cricket, they’ll grow more. I’ll just say to them to keep working hard.”
Looking ahead, Thailand will face Pakistan on September 1, while India is set to take on Hong Kong, China on September 3, as both teams continue their quest for success in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup.
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