Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Dubai, Aug 30: Thailand won the toss and elected to field first against India in their 2026 Women’s Asia Cup Group A fixture at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, with top-order batter Pratika Rawal making her T20I debut for the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side.
Seven-time champions India are opening their campaign against Thailand, who enter the contest after a narrow win over Hong Kong China. India and Thailand have met three times in T20Is, with India winning all three matches by big margins.
Pratika, who has already represented India in ODIs and Tests, was brought into the squad for the continental tournament as a replacement for Jemimah Rodrigues, who was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
“We also thought of bowling first, but batting first is also not a problem. It is our first match in Dubai. Rather than keeping a lot of things in mind, it's about going out there and giving our best,” India captain Harmanpreet Kaur said.
“Today Pratika is making her debut because Jemi is not there. Playing good cricket is what we want to do. We have spoken about being ruthless and this is an important tournament for us,” she added.
Thailand will be led by Thipatcha Putthawong in the absence of regular captain Nannapat Koncharoenkai, who is injured.
“We are going to bowl first. Nothing more than 170 (to keep India to). Yes, we are excited (to play against India),” Putthawong said.
The match is also a milestone occasion for India off-spin bowling all-rounder Deepti Sharma, who is playing her 150th T20I.
Deepti becomes only the third Indian cricketer to reach the landmark after Harmanpreet Kaur, who has 202 T20Is, and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, who has featured in 171 matches.
Globally, Deepti is the 12th player in women's cricket history to reach 150 T20I appearances.
Playing XIs:
India: Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Bharti Fulmali, Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud and Nandni Sharma.
Thailand: Natthakan Chantham, Nannapat Koncharoenkai (wk), Chanida Sutthiruang, Suleeporn Laomi, Onnicha Kamchomphu, Thipatcha Putthawong (captain), Phannita Maya, Aphisara Suwanchonrathi, Sunida Chaturongrattana, Nannaphat Chaihan and Naomi Hamilton.