Dubai: India began their Women's Asia Cup campaign with a 94 run victory over Thailand at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, but their comfortable win also exposed some concerns in the middle order.
India scored 159 for nine in their 20 overs after Thailand won the toss and chose to field. Thailand were then bowled out for 65 in 16.1 overs.
Shafali Verma was the main force behind India's innings, scoring 64 from 36 balls with eight fours and three sixes. She helped India make a strong start after they were asked to bat first.
India reached 91 for one and looked set for a much bigger total. Thailand then fought back strongly with the ball. India lost eight wickets for 46 runs and slipped to 137 for nine before a late contribution from Kranti Gaud helped them reach 159 for nine.
Kranti Gaud remained unbeaten on 15 from eight balls, hitting a four and a six. Her late scoring gave India some valuable runs after Thailand had put pressure on the middle order.
Thailand's bowlers were led by Suleeporn Laomi, who took three wickets for 26 runs. Sunida Chaturongrattana took two for 31, while Chanida Sutthiruang took one wicket.
India's bowlers then took complete control of the chase.
Deepti Sharma produced the outstanding performance, taking three wickets without conceding a run from 1.1 overs. The spell came in her 150th Twenty20 international appearance, making her only the third Indian woman to reach the milestone after Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana.
Deepti's third wicket was also a major career milestone. Her dismissal of Thailand batter Nannapat Koncharoenkai took her tally to 171 wickets and made her the leading wicket taker in women's Twenty20 international cricket. She moved ahead of Thailand captain Thipatcha Putthawong.
Nandni Sharma also took three wickets, finishing with three for 18 from four overs. Shree Charani took two for 10 as India's bowling attack kept Thailand under constant pressure.
Thailand's best resistance came from Nannapat, who scored 41 from 48 balls with five fours. However, wickets fell regularly around her and Thailand were eventually dismissed for 65 in 16.1 overs.
The result gives India two points from their opening Group A match and puts them at the top of the group on net run rate. Thailand also have two points after beating Hong Kong, China in their opening match.
India's victory was built on strong bowling, but the batting collapse will remain an area of concern. The team had looked well placed before Thailand's bowlers disrupted their middle order.
India are also without Jemimah Rodrigues for the tournament. Rodrigues was ruled out of the Asia Cup after suffering a high grade right hamstring tear while playing in The Hundred on August 3. Pratika Rawal was named as her replacement and made her Twenty20 international debut against Thailand, scoring 22 from 18 balls.
The Women's Asia Cup features eight teams divided into two groups. India, Pakistan, Thailand and Hong Kong, China are in Group A, while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia are in Group B.
India are the most successful team in the history of the Women's Asia Cup. Sri Lanka are the defending champions after winning the 2024 tournament.
India will face Hong Kong, China on September 3 before meeting Pakistan in their next major Group A test on September 5.
The victory gives India a strong start to the tournament, but the batting collapse against Thailand will be something the team will need to improve before facing stronger opposition.