India defeated Thailand by 94 runs in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 clash at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on August 30, posting 159/9 in their 20 overs while bowling Thailand out for 65 in 15.3 overs. Despite the comfortable win, the game exposed India’s batting frailties on a turning surface.
Shafali Verma scored 64 off 36 balls with eight fours and three sixes to anchor India’s innings. However, the middle order collapsed significantly after India reached 91 for 1. Harmanpreet Kaur managed only 5 off 9 balls, Richa Ghosh scored 0, and Deepti Sharma added 5 as the team slumped to 127 for 6 before crawling to their final total of 159 for 9.
“We will just go back and see where we are going wrong as a batting unit and where we can improve. Today’s game is done and we did really well, and whenever we go to our room, we are just thinking about what we can improve and what we can give more to the team,” Shafali said in a post-match press conference.
Understanding the pitch conditions and technical challenges
Shafali Verma noted that the squad anticipated the pitch would offer turn and grip as the match progressed, a factor they had worked on during training.
“As we all know, we came here and before that also, we all knew there would be a turning track, there would be a bit of hold, so we were aware about this track,” Shafali added.
She explained how the surface evolved, with the new ball arriving comfortably before the older ball began to hold and turn, creating difficulties for the batters.
“Talking about the track with the new ball, the ball was coming very nicely. After the ball gets old, there is a bit of hold and there is a bit of turn,” she further said.
Reflecting on her own dismissal, Shafali admitted a minor technical lapse when the ball gripped and arrived slightly later than expected, saying she might have played it safely on the ground.
“As a batter, I was set at that time. I just made a bit of a mistake. The ball gripped a little bit and came a little late. I might have been able to play it grounded,” Shafali said.
“Two years back we came here for the World Cup, so I know the conditions and I am prepared. Back home, I was just preparing for this track and all,” the Indian opener stated.
Praising Thailand’s growth in women’s cricket
Although the batting lineup struggled, Shafali praised the Thailand bowlers for their effort and highlighted the rising standard of women’s cricket in the region, urging continued hard work.
“It’s just cricket, in the end. I know we have to grow and we’re just trying hard to show good cricket in the middle. We have practised hard for that, but just credit to the Thailand bowlers,” Shafali said.
“As a team, we are so happy with the way women’s cricket is growing and the way they are improving. Hats off to them. I would say to them, just keep working hard. We are all so happy just seeing the improvement in women’s cricket.” Shafali said.
