Women's Asia Cup 2026: Thailand spinners skittle India to 159/9 in Dubai
Synopsis
India's highest powerplay score in Women's T20 Asia Cup history — 65/1 — turned into a cautionary tale. Suleeporn Laomi's back-to-back wickets in the 13th over, including Shafali Verma for 64, triggered a collapse of 7 wickets for 58 runs. Thailand, written off early, bowled and fielded their way back into a contest they have every reason to win.
Key Takeaways
India were restricted to 159/9 by Thailand in a 2026 Women's Asia Cup Group A match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 30 August .
Shafali Verma top-scored with 64 off 36 balls — her 19th T20I fifty — before being dismissed by Suleeporn Laomi .
India reached 101/2 at the halfway mark but collapsed, scoring just 58/6 in the final ten overs.
Leg-spinner Suleeporn Laomi finished with 3 for 26 , taking two wickets in consecutive deliveries in the 13th over.
Debutant Pratika Rawal contributed 22 runs; a last-wicket stand of 22 between Kranti Gaud and Shree Charani helped India cross 150 .
India's powerplay score of 65/1 was their highest six-over total in Women's T20 Asia Cup history.
Shafali Verma's blazing 64 off 36 balls went in vain as India collapsed from 101/2 to 159/9 against Thailand in their 2026 Women's Asia Cup Group A fixture at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, 30 August. Leg-spinner Suleeporn Laomi was the chief architect of India's dramatic middle-order implosion, finishing with figures of 3 for 26.
A Blazing Start That Promised More
India's opening partnership set the tone emphatically. Smriti Mandhana cracked three boundaries off Phannita Maya in the very first over, while Shafali punished anything short or full with equal ferocity. The pair raced to a 38-run opening stand before Mandhana was run out for 19, caught short of her ground by a direct hit from Aphisara Suwanchonrathi.
Debutant Pratika Rawal announced her international arrival with a lofted inside-out six off Sunida Chaturongrattana in the fifth over. India closed the powerplay at 65/1 — their highest six-over total in Women's T20 Asia Cup history. Shafali reached her fifty off just 26 balls, thumping Suleeporn over long-on for six in the ninth over, recording her 19th T20I half-century.
The Suleeporn Laomi Effect
The collapse began with clinical precision. On the very ball after Shafali's fifty, Suleeporn castled Pratika Rawal for 22, the batter backing away and missing a delivery that kept low. Thipatcha Putthawong, the stand-in captain, then removed Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur via a top-edge caught at point.
The 13th over proved decisive. Suleeporn struck twice in consecutive deliveries — first having Shafali chip a cross-seam ball straight back to the bowler for 64, then watching Richa Ghosh mistime an inside-out loft to cover for a golden duck. Three wickets in two overs effectively ended India's hopes of a commanding total.
Lower Order Struggles
Bharti Fulmali made a scratchy 13 before pulling straight to deep mid-wicket off Sunida. Deepti Sharma was run out for 5 after a direct hit from Suleeporn at cover. Sunida then had Prema Rawat stumped for 6, and Chanida bowled Nandni Sharma for 1 in the 18th over, leaving India in tatters at the death.
A last-wicket stand of 22 runs between Kranti Gaud and Shree Charani provided some late respectability. Gaud hit a six and a boundary off Putthawong in the final over to push India past the 150-run mark.
Thailand's Disciplined Bowling Unit
Suleeporn led the attack with a stump-to-stump line that offered Indian batters little room to free their arms. Sunida Chaturongrattana provided strong support with 2 for 31, while stand-in skipper Putthawong chipped in with 1 for 37. Thailand's fielding was equally sharp, with two run-outs underlining their intent to stay alive in the tournament.
India's innings of 159/9 — built almost entirely on Shafali's fireworks — leaves them with a total that Thailand will target with confidence. The match outcome, pending Thailand's response, could have significant implications for Group A standings in the 2026 Women's Asia Cup.
Brief scores: India 159/9 in 20 overs (Shafali Verma 64, Pratika Rawal 22; Suleeporn Laomi 3-26, Sunida Chaturongrattana 2-31) vs Thailand.
Point of View
Particularly on subcontinental-style surfaces where spinners get purchase, has plagued this side in knockout-pressure situations. Suleeporn Laomi is not a household name, yet she dismantled India's batting with a disciplined stump-to-stump line that exposed a chronic weakness: Indian batters backing away and losing their off stump. With Harmanpreet Kaur contributing little and Deepti Sharma run out, the depth question returns. Thailand's performance deserves credit beyond the narrative of 'India collapse' — their fielding and bowling unit executed a disciplined plan under pressure.
NationPress
30 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was India's final score against Thailand in the 2026 Women's Asia Cup?
India were bowled out for 159/9 in 20 overs against Thailand in their Group A match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 30 August 2026. Shafali Verma top-scored with 64 off 36 balls.
Who was the top wicket-taker for Thailand against India?
Leg-spinner Suleeporn Laomi was Thailand's standout bowler, finishing with figures of 3 for 26. She took two wickets in consecutive deliveries in the 13th over, including Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh, to trigger India's collapse.
What made Shafali Verma's innings significant?
Shafali Verma's 64 off 36 balls — featuring eight boundaries and three sixes — was her 19th T20I half-century. She reached her fifty in just 26 deliveries before being dismissed by Suleeporn Laomi.
How did India's collapse unfold in the second half of their innings?
India were well-placed at 101/2 after ten overs but lost 7 wickets for just 58 runs in the final ten overs. Three wickets fell in two overs between the 12th and 13th overs, including Harmanpreet Kaur, Shafali Verma, and Richa Ghosh, effectively ending India's chances of a big total.
What record did India set in the powerplay against Thailand?
India reached 65/1 at the end of the powerplay, which is their highest six-over total in Women's T20 Asia Cup history. The platform was set by aggressive batting from Shafali Verma and debutant Pratika Rawal.
