Dubai, Aug 31:
Deepti Sharma created history while Shafali Verma produced a blazing half-century as India began their Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 campaign with a commanding 94-run victory over Thailand in their Group A match on Sunday.
India, sent in to bat, made 159/9 after a strong start gave way to a dramatic middle-order collapse. Shafali was the standout, smashing 64 off just 36 balls with eight fours and three sixes. She reached her half-century from 26 balls, matching the joint-fastest fifty in Women’s Asia Cup history.
Debutant Pratika Rawal added 22 off 18 balls, while Smriti Mandhana struck 19 off 10 before being run out.
India were cruising at 108/2 before losing eight wickets for 46 runs. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur managed only five, while Richa Ghosh fell for a duck.
Thailand’s Suleeporn Laomi was the most successful bowler with 3/26. Kranti Gaud’s unbeaten 15 off eight balls, supported by late runs from the lower order, ensured India finished with a competitive total.
Thailand’s chase never gathered momentum as India’s bowlers ripped through their batting order. They slipped to 51/6 and were eventually dismissed for 65 in 16.1 overs.
Nannapat Koncharoenkai offered some resistance with 41, but received little support. Deepti Sharma claimed three wickets without conceding a run in 1.1 overs, while Nandani Sharma also took 3/18 and Shree Charani picked up two wickets.
The performance also brought a major milestone for Deepti, who moved past Thailand’s Thipatcha Putthawong to become the leading wicket-taker in women’s T20I cricket.
The match was another landmark for the all-rounder, who also became only the third Indian woman to feature in 150 T20Is, joining Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana in the elite club.