Deepti Sharma’s record spell steers India to 94-run win over Thailand in Asia Cup opener
India defeated Thailand by 94 runs in their Women's T20 Asia Cup Group A opener in Dubai on Sunday, powered by Deepti Sharma’s record bowling and a brisk 64 from Shafali Verma.
Asked to bat, seven-time champions India posted 159/9, Shafali striking 64 off 36 balls with eight fours and three sixes as India crossed 100 inside 10 overs; the innings then skidded as Thailand’s bowlers produced a late burst. Smriti Mandhana made 19 off 10 before Aphisara Suwanchonrathi’s direct hit ran her out, Pratika Rawal scored 22 on her T20I debut at No 3 after being drafted in for the injured Jemimah Rodrigues, and India lost four wickets for 21 runs before Kranti Gaud’s unbeaten 15 off eight pushed the total past 150.
Deepti, playing her 150th T20I, produced a defining spell: she took two wickets in the ninth over to draw level with Thipatcha Putthawong at 170 and left Thailand struggling at 44/6, then returned in the 17th over to strike with her first ball and finished with three wickets in seven balls without conceding a run to move to 171 wickets and become the outright leading wicket-taker in Women's T20I cricket. Her final strike removed wicketkeeper-batter Nannapat Koncharoenkai, who had top-scored for Thailand with 41.
Thailand were bowled out for 65 in 16.1 overs as India’s bowlers strangled the chase; seamers Kranti Goud (1/26) and Nandani Sharma (3/18) removed both openers inside four overs, while left-arm spinner Shree Charani (2/10) struck twice in successive overs. Deepti’s double-wicket maiden in the later overs effectively ended Thailand’s hopes of recovery.
Thailand’s Suleeporn Laomi finished with 3/26 and off-spinner Sunida Chaturongrattana claimed 2/31 as the visitors had earlier used their spinners to trigger India’s middle-order collapse, including two wickets in two balls that removed Shafali and Richa Ghosh. Nannapat’s 41 provided the only substantial resistance in Thailand’s chase.
This result was Thailand’s first loss after two matches in the competition; they had begun their Asia Cup campaign with a six-run victory over Hong Kong on Friday.
India will next face Hong Kong on Thursday in Group A, carrying a win into their second match of the tournament.
