Thai spinners dish out hot curry to leave India sweating in humid Dubai

India came into their Women's Asia Cup 2026 campaign opener against Thailand as overwhelming favourites for several reasons. India are a full-member team. They have much more exposure to top-drawer tournaments and rub shoulders with the best in the circuit. They also had a 3-0 (3) head-to-head record against Thailand in women's T20Is. India are also ranked third in the ICC women's T20I rankings, whereas Thailand are 12th.

The game began on expected lines as India openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma tore into Thailand's bowling attack. But while Thailand looked clueless with the ball in hand against the formidable opening pair, they were on their toes and switched on. Aphisara Suwanchonrathi produced a stunning direct hit from long-on which found Mandhana short of her crease and left everyone at the venue in awe.

Thai spinners tighten the noose on India

Thailand's decision to win the toss and bowl first startled a few, considering it was the same track which was used for two consecutive games. Batting first is considered a safe option on an abrasive surface which has already witnessed enough cricket, as it is only going to disintegrate further. While Thailand learnt the lesson, it was not before they made India sweat in the middle of the Ring of Fire.

The pitch started showing signs of wear and tear as soon as the ball lost its sheen. Pratika Rawal was the first one to succumb as she misjudged the length and went back to a delivery which she could have managed on the front foot. 

The next one to fall was Harmanpreet Kaur as she attempted an aerial flick across the line to slow left-arm orthodox bowler Thipatcha Putthawong, without getting anywhere close to the pitch of the delivery. The ball turned, struck the outside half of the bat, ballooned in the air, and was taken comfortably by the point fielder.

Even Shafali, who was well set on 64 and looked like she had the measure of the surface, was undone by the slowness of the surface, as she played quite early to a fairly innocuous ball from Suleeporn Laomi and handed a simple return catch. Six of India's wickets fell to spin in total.

Richa Ghosh, who has played the finisher's role to perfection for months, fell for a golden duck and India were in deep trouble. Deepti Sharma got run out for the 11th time in T20Is, the joint-most for an India batter (female) alongside Jhulan Goswami. Pooja Vastrakar's absence was palpable as India were reduced to 137/9 and could have folded for less than 150 if India's last batting pair, Kranti Gaud and Nandini Sharma, had not dug in.