India humbled their Asian counterparts by nine wickets in the Women's Asia Cup as spinners Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana and Rajeshwari Gayakwad distributed seven wickets amongst them in what was a complete bowling dominance for the Women in Blue. Thailand was restricted to just 37, their third-lowest total in the Asia Cup, and it took the Indian women just six overs and losing just one wicket to secure the win.
Thailand started off slowing, scoring just 16 runs for one wicket at the end of the powerplay. But it was after this that their batting order began to collapse, with Naruemol Chaiwai's run-out in the seventh over following which Thailand lost their final eight wickets for just 17 runs.
Smriti Mandhana, playing her 100th T20I, was the skipper for India once again, with Harmanpreet Kaur sitting this match out as well. The regular India skipper was also out of the last match with a niggle. Winning the toss, India decided to bowl first, keeping the damp conditions in mind.
Thailand openers Nannapat Koncharoenkai and Natthakan Chantham started in a watchful manner, as Deepti straightaway found a sharp turn with the ball. This also meant that she conceded just one run off the first over. Koncharoenkai broke the pressure with a drive to the boundary off quick Meghna Singh, who was brought in for Renuka for this match. In the following over, Chantham brought out the sweep to the boundary against Deepti, showing positive intent.
But a couple of balls later, Chantham was deceived by Deepti's turn and was bowled.
The gulf in class was so huge that before getting out in the 16th over, Thailand could manage only 37 runs. The only batter to reach double figures was Nannapat Koncharoenkai (12) as the second highest score was 7 by Nattaya Boochatham.
In fact, Nannapat and Natthakan Chantham's (6) 13-run opening stand was their highest as wickets tumbled like nine pins once India was able to draw the first blood.
Predictably, off-break bowlers Deepti Sharma (2/10) and Sneh Rana (3/9) choked the run-flow and were duly backed by left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad (2/8).
Meghna Singh also chipped in with a wicket while the only one to go wicketless was Pooja Vastrakar.
Vastrakar (12 not out) was, however, was sent up the order at No. 3 to get some batting time under her belt as she along with opener S Meghana (20 not out) knocked off the runs in just six overs.
"A big shout out to all girls for making my 100th T20 International special," stand-in skipper Mandhana said after the match.
"I wouldn't say weaker opposition and Thailand played good cricket but our bowlers really didn't give them any chance," Mandhana was all praise for her bowling unit.
Player of the match Sneh Rana said: "A win like this lifts confidence and we would definitely do well in the semifinal."
