Shafali Verma struck a blazing 36-ball 64 as India opened their 2026 Women's Asia Cup campaign with a commanding 94-run victory over Thailand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 31 August. The win gave the squad an immediate confidence boost ahead of a packed group-stage schedule.

How India Built Their Total

India posted 159/9 in their allotted overs, with Shafali's half-century providing the platform. The innings, however, was not without drama — the side collapsed from 91/1 to 137/9 across just 50 deliveries, a middle-order wobble that will concern the team management ahead of tougher fixtures.

Shafali's knock was the lone innings of real authority, and she acknowledged the team still needs to sharpen its batting unit to handle the Dubai conditions more consistently. 'We will have to get used to the conditions as a batting unit,' she said after the match.

Bowling Unit Dominates Thailand

Nandni and veteran all-rounder Deepti Sharma each claimed three wickets as India dismissed Thailand for just 65 in 16.1 overs, wrapping up the contest with overs to spare. The spinners found assistance in the Dubai pitch, and Nandni — playing her first Asia Cup match — looked particularly at ease despite admitting the conditions carried plenty of energy.

'Bowling-wise, personally, I was feeling good, but it was also difficult because there was a lot of energy. But the wicket was good for the spinners as well,' Nandni said.

Deepti Sharma's Historic Milestone

The match was also notable for Deepti Sharma, who became only the third women's cricketer to feature in 150 T20 Internationals — a landmark that drew warm words from her teammates. Shafali was effusive in her praise: 'Congratulations to her for the 150th game, and I think there are a lot more games coming for her. I am pretty sure she is always someone who is working hard every day.'

Shafali on Team Morale and What Comes Next

Speaking in a video shared on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)'s official social media accounts, Shafali described the dressing-room mood as buoyant. 'Within the team, there is a greater atmosphere of happiness. We all know the conditions, we all know what we have to do,' she said.

India face Hong Kong China on Thursday, and Shafali acknowledged that improvements — particularly in the batting middle order — are necessary. The bowling coach is expected to address specific areas before the next fixture. Notably, this is the first Women's Asia Cup edition held in Dubai, giving all sides an equally unfamiliar surface to navigate.