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KNews Desk– In their opening match of the ACC Women's Asia Cup 2026, the Indian women's cricket team had to face a tough challenge from the bowling of Thailand. Team India, who came to bat first, could score only 159 runs at the loss of 9 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. In the Indian innings, opener Shefali Verma gave a strong start to the team by scoring a brilliant half-century, but apart from her, no other batsman could play a big innings. Thailand's spin bowlers kept the Indian middle order under constant pressure and kept India below 160 runs by taking wickets.

After winning the toss, Thailand asked India to bat first. Team India had a good start and Shefali Verma started batting aggressively as soon as she arrived. However, Smriti Mandhana was run out in the third over and returned to the pavilion. After this Shefali handled the innings with Pratika Rawal. There was a good partnership between the two and the Indian team started scoring runs rapidly. Pratika scored 22 runs in 18 balls, but after her dismissal the Indian innings faltered.

Shefali Verma batted brilliantly and scored 64 runs in just 36 balls. His innings included 8 fours and 3 sixes. They maintained constant pressure on the Thai bowlers and increased the Indian score rapidly. However, as soon as Shefali was out, India's wickets started increasing. The middle order batsmen could not make big partnerships and the team was in a difficult situation.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur also could not do anything special. He scored only 5 runs facing 9 balls. Bharti Phulmali scored 13 runs, while explosive batsman Richa Ghosh was out on the very first ball and returned to the pavilion. Deepti Sharma scored 5 runs and was run out. Prema Rawat could also score only 6 runs, while only 1 run came from Nandani Sharma's bat. Shri Charani scored 6 unbeaten runs on 8 balls. In the end, Kranti Gaur quickly added 15 unbeaten runs in 8 balls, taking India's score to 159 runs.

A total of six batsmen in India's innings could not even reach double figures. This was the reason why despite a good start, Team India could not score a big score. On the other hand, Thailand's bowlers bowled disciplinedly and did not give the Indian batsmen a chance to play freely.

Suliporn Laomi was the most successful bowler from Thailand. He took 3 important wickets for 26 runs in 4 overs. He made Shefali Verma, Pratika Rawal and Richa Ghosh his victims. Apart from this, he also played an important role in getting Deepti Sharma run out. Sunida Chaturongrattana took the wickets of Bharti Phulmali and Prema Rawat for 31 runs in 3 overs. At the same time, Thailand's experienced bowler Thipacha Puthavong dismissed captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Chanida Suthiruang also bowled economically and took one wicket for just 14 runs in 3 overs.

The Indian team will now expect better performance from the bowlers. The target of 160 runs is certainly challenging for Thailand, but the Indian bowlers will have to tighten their grip on the match by taking early wickets. At the same time, after bowling brilliantly in this match against India, the Thai team will now try to create a big upset by showing strength in batting as well.