India made a powerful start to the Women’s Asia Cup 2026, moving to the top of the Women Asia Cup Points Table 2026 after registering a convincing 94-run victory over Thailand in their opening Group A match.
Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian women’s team produced an impressive all-round performance. India first posted 159 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs, with Shafali Verma providing the major boost with an aggressive half-century. Thailand, chasing a target of 160, struggled badly against India’s bowling attack and was bowled out for just 65 runs in 16.1 overs.
The emphatic margin of victory has given India a strong net run rate and placed the team at the top of the Group A standings with two points.
India Takes Top Spot in Group A
India currently leads the Group A points table with one win from one match and two points. The team also has an excellent net run rate of +4.700, putting it comfortably ahead of Thailand.
Thailand is in second place with two points from two matches. The team began its campaign with a victory over Hong Kong, but the heavy defeat against India has significantly affected its net run rate, which has dropped to -2.200.
Pakistan has yet to play its opening match, while Hong Kong has one defeat from one game and remains without a point.
Women Asia Cup 2026 Group A Points Table
| Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | No Result | Net Run Rate | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +4.700 | 2 |
| Thailand | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | -2.200 | 2 |
| Pakistan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | 0 |
| Hong Kong | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -0.300 | 0 |
Shafali Verma Leads India’s Batting Charge
Shafali Verma was the standout batter for India and played a crucial role in helping the team reach a competitive total. She scored a rapid 64 runs from just 36 balls, hitting eight fours and three sixes during her aggressive innings.
Her attacking approach gave India momentum during the middle overs and helped the team build a score that proved far beyond Thailand’s reach.
However, India’s batting lost some momentum during the final stages of the innings. The team lost its last seven wickets for only 29 runs. Richa Ghosh was dismissed without scoring, while several other Indian batters failed to convert their starts into substantial contributions.
After the top three batters, only Bharati Fulmali and Kranti Goud managed to reach double figures. Despite the late collapse, India’s total of 159 proved more than enough because of the team’s dominant bowling display.
Deepti Sharma and Nandani Sharma Destroy Thailand’s Batting
Thailand’s chase never really got going as Indian bowlers kept the pressure on from the beginning. Nandani Sharma and Deepti Sharma claimed three wickets each, playing a major role in restricting Thailand to just 65 runs.
The Indian bowling attack consistently troubled Thailand’s batters, and wickets fell at regular intervals. With no significant partnership developing during the chase, Thailand was eventually bowled out in 16.1 overs.
Deepti Sharma also achieved a significant milestone during the match. She became the leading wicket-taker in women’s T20 cricket. Her performance against Thailand was particularly impressive as she finished with three wickets without conceding a run.
The achievement also made her the first Indian woman to take three or more wickets in a T20 match while conceding zero runs.
Sri Lanka Opens Its Account in Group B
The Group B standings have also started taking shape. So far, Sri Lanka and hosts UAE have played one match in the group, with Sri Lanka securing a big victory to open its account in the tournament.
Bangladesh and Indonesia are scheduled to face each other next in Group B. As more matches are played, the competition for the top positions in both groups is expected to become increasingly intense.
With India already sitting at the top of Group A after a commanding opening win, the upcoming matches will be crucial for determining the final standings and the teams that move closer to the knockout stage of the Women’s Asia Cup 2026.
