Shafali Verma's explosive 64 powered India to 159/9 before Deepti Sharma and Nandni Sharma helped bowl Thailand out for 65 in Dubai.

India Begin With Big Win

India Women opened their Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 campaign with a commanding 94-run victory over Thailand Women in Dubai on Sunday.

After Thailand opted to field, India scored 159/9 in 20 overs. Thailand struggled throughout the chase and were dismissed for 65 in 16.1 overs, giving Harmanpreet Kaur's side a winning start in Group A.

Shafali Smashes 64

Shafali Verma produced the biggest batting performance of the match, smashing 64 off 36 balls.

Her innings included eight fours and three sixes. She reached her half-century from just 26 deliveries, recording her 19th T20I fifty.

Shafali's aggressive start helped India race to 65/1 at the end of the powerplay before Thailand's spinners fought back.

India Set Powerplay Record

India's fast start created a new tournament milestone.

The team reached 65/1 after six overs, their highest powerplay score in Women's T20 Asia Cup history. Debutant Pratika Rawal also played an important role, scoring 22 from 18 balls and hitting a six.

India were 101/2 after 10 overs but could not maintain the same momentum.

Thailand Trigger Collapse

Thailand's bowling attack produced an impressive fightback in the second half of India's innings.

India slipped from 101/2 to 136/7 as Thailand's spinners repeatedly found wickets. Suleeporn Laomi was the standout bowler, finishing with 3/26, while Sunida Chaturongrattana took 2/31.

Shafali was one of Laomi's victims, dismissed for 64 in the 13th over.

India eventually crossed 150 after a late contribution from Kranti Gaud, who hit a six and a four in the final over.

Thailand Collapse In Chase

Thailand never came close to India's target of 160.

Nannapat Koncharoenkai was the top scorer with 41 from 48 balls, but India kept taking wickets at regular intervals.

Thailand were eventually bowled out for 65 in 16.1 overs, giving India a 94-run victory.

Deepti Takes Three

India's bowling attack delivered a dominant performance.

Deepti Sharma took 3/0 in just 1.1 overs, while Nandni Sharma also claimed three wickets. Deepti's figures were particularly remarkable as she took three wickets without conceding a run.

The collapse ensured India could finish the match comfortably despite their own middle-order wobble.

Mandhana Makes Histor

The match also produced a major record for Smriti Mandhana.

Mandhana's first boundary took her international career tally to 10,756 runs, moving her past New Zealand's Suzie Bates, who had 10,740.

Mandhana is now the second-highest run-scorer in women's international cricket, behind only former India captain Mithali Raj.

Mandhana scored 19 from 10 balls in India's innings.

Rawal, Deepti Reach Milestones

The match marked Pratika Rawal's T20I debut after she was called into India's Asia Cup squad as the replacement for injured Jemimah Rodrigues. Rawal made an immediate impact with 22 off 18 balls.

It was also Deepti Sharma's 150th T20I appearance, making her only the third Indian woman after Harmanpreet Kaur and Mandhana to reach the landmark.

India Gain Early Momentum

The 94-run win gives India an emphatic opening victory and two important points in Group A.

The match produced several significant milestones: India's highest Asia Cup powerplay score of 65/1, Shafali's 19th T20I fifty, Mandhana's rise to No. 2 on the women's international run-scoring list, and Deepti's 150th T20I appearance.

Player of the Match: Shafali Verma's 64 off 36 was the standout individual batting performance, but the official 2026 Player of the Match award should be updated only after confirmation from the tournament scorecard.

India will now turn their attention to their next Group A assignment as Harmanpreet Kaur's team looks to build on this comprehensive opening victory.