India stormed into the Women’s Asia Cup finals after beating Thailand by a substantial 74 runs. Thailand's attempt to chase 149 ended poorly, as they were held to 74/9 in their 20 overs. This result highlighted the strength of India's bowling department, which has been the backbone of the team's success, allowing over 110 runs in only a single game. Deepti Sharma was particularly impressive, finishing with an outstanding 3/7.
India's batting started on a high note, with Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma racing to 38 runs within the first four overs. The momentum shifted slightly when Phannita Maya dismissed Mandhana for 13, followed by Verma, who exited after a brisk 42. However, the team recovered well as Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues added 42 runs together for the third wicket.
Rodrigues was eventually sent back by Thipatcha Putthawong for 27, while captain Kaur provided stability with a solid 36-run knock. Thanks to a helpful 17 runs from Pooja Vastrakar, India finished their 20 overs with a respectable score of 146/6.
Thailand's response was shaky from the outset, with openers Natthakan Chantam (4) and Nannapat Koncharoenkai (5) falling quickly during the powerplay. Deepti Sharma, the most successful bowler of the 2022 Asia Cup, consistently pressured the Thai batting lineup.
The Indian bowlers maintained a tight grip on the game, preventing Thailand from building any meaningful partnerships. The top scores for Thailand were modest, with both Nattaya Boochatham and Naruemol Chaiwai managing only 21 runs each. By taking consistent wickets, India ensured a comfortable and wide-margin victory. Now, India is set to face Sri Lanka in the championship match tomorrow at the Sylhet Cricket Stadium.