India 159 for 9 (Shively 64, Laomi 3-26) won Thailand 65 (Kuncharwenkai 41, Deepti 3-0, Nandani 3-18), a difference of 94 points.
At a venue where two matches were played in two days, Thailand’s decision to send India to the draw seemed surprising. Shafali VermaA rolling 36-ball 64 added weight to the idea that Thailand had given up the best batting conditions. But as soon as the powerplay ended, the spinners led the leg spinner Feather Porn Laomileading to a massive collapse. India lost eight wickets for 46 runs and could only score 159 for 9.
It was not a costly affair for India as their bowlers were on their toes. Nandani Sharma and Kranti Joud Throwing incisive new ball spells. Deepti SharmaIn her 150th T20I, she picked up three wickets in seven balls without conceding a run and became Highest wicket taker In shape. Thailand were bowled out for 65.
Chafali burns away
Smriti Mandhana started with three runs in the opener before Shafali took over. She hit the vertigo in her left arm Thipacha Buthongnow the second-highest run-getter in women’s T20Is, has taken fours in each of her first two overs. Mandhana running out while running lazily for a second did little to thwart Shafali’s plans. She scored 33 off 17 inside the powerplay and added 53 for the second wicket with Pratika Rawal, on T20I debut.
Once the pitch opened up, Shafali picked up her runs smartly and kept the pressure on the bowlers. She was happy to bide her time as the bowlers grabbed buys from the deck. She smashed Laomi to a powerful hit over long-on before taking a single in the 19th over of her T20I fifty, in just 26 balls. At 91 for 1 in 8.5 overs, India looked on course for a total of over 200.
Laomi puts India in a tailspin
A day after coach Amol Muzumdar announced that he wanted India To play hardtheir familiar woes in the middle order that led to two successive group stage exits in the T20 World Cup have resurfaced. It all started when Rawal misjudged the height after completing the journey. She returned to the ball thrown by Laomi and missed the cut. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur was then unable to get off to a fluent start against the spinners, and ended up having to beat out an attempted sweep of Putthawong.
Laomi then dealt a double blow in the next over by dismissing Shafali and Richa Ghosh off successive balls. She bowled a seam ball that Shafali returned to her, while Ghosh drove one straight to extra cover. It was soon Sunidha Chaturungratana’s turn to score twice in three balls – Bharti Phulmali pulled a short ball straight to deep mid-off while Prema Rawat rushed down and stumbled. India had lost 8 for 72 after the Powerplay, and 5 for 25 after Shafali fell. But a boundary and a six from Judd ensured they crossed 150.
Bowlers win it for India
Even as Thailand made a happy comeback at the halfway mark after restricting India to a lower total than they were heading for, they still faced a tough chase. Natthakan Chantham, who has been part of India’s Women’s T20 Challenge in the past, comes in after regular Thailand captain Narwimol Chaiwai missed the match due to an ankle injury she sustained against Hong Kong. Chantham’s stay lasted in all five balls as it was played after turning away from the body.
Vanita Maya had an early chance after Deepti failed to hold on to the ball at slip from Goud. But Nandani fired her the next time. N Shree Charani and Deepti soon got into the action, taking four wickets in four overs to quell Thailand’s hopes. Wicket keeper only Nanabat Koncharwenkai He showed resistance with 41 off 48 balls, and was the only batsman to enter double figures. In a match in which she became the third Indian woman to cross 150 in a T20I, it was fitting that Dipti dismissed her – aided by Ghosh’s effort – to record India’s third-biggest win in the Asia Cups.
