3 days ago
India Begin Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Campaign Against Thailand
India’s women’s cricket team will play Thailand in the Women’s Asia Cup.
The match is India’s first game in Group A. It will be played in Dubai on Sunday, August 30.
The game starts at 8:00 PM Indian time, and the toss happens 30 minutes earlier.
India are the defending champions and are expected to be strong.
However, India have had mixed results this year and recently left the T20 World Cup in the group stage.
Jemimah Rodrigues cannot play because she has a hamstring injury.
Pratika Rawal has been chosen as her replacement.
Thailand have already won a match by six runs, although reports disagree about whether they beat Indonesia or Hong Kong China.
India will face Thailand in their Group A Women’s Asia Cup 2026 opener on Sunday, August 30, at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The match starts at 8:00 PM IST, with the toss scheduled for 7:30 PM IST; Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV will carry the broadcast in India.
Defending champions India are favourites but have won nine of 16 T20Is this year and suffered a recent T20 World Cup group-stage exit.
Jemimah Rodrigues is unavailable with a hamstring injury, while Pratika Rawal has been called up as her replacement.
Reports disagree on Thailand’s opening opponent: one says Indonesia, while two say Hong Kong China; all report a six-run Thailand victory.
- Who
- India Women, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, and Thailand Women.
- What
- A Group A match and India’s opening game of the Women’s Asia Cup 2026.
- Where
- Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
- When
- Sunday, August 30; the match begins at 8:00 PM IST and the toss is at 7:30 PM IST.
- Why
- India are starting their title campaign, while Thailand are seeking a second consecutive victory.
India’s Strengths
India’s Concerns and Thailand’s Threats
Tournament outlook
India’s Strengths
India are the defending champions and favourites, with experienced players including Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur and Shafali Verma.
India’s Concerns and Thailand’s Threats
India have won nine of 16 T20Is this year and suffered a group-stage exit at the recent T20 World Cup.
Middle-order availability
India’s Strengths
India’s established top order can be expected to carry much of the batting responsibility.
India’s Concerns and Thailand’s Threats
Jemimah Rodrigues is ruled out with a hamstring injury, and reports describe Pratika Rawal as an untested replacement for the middle order.
Bowling match-up
India’s Strengths
India have bowlers including Deepti Sharma, Sree Charani and Kranti Gaud; Charani is ranked No. 1 in the ICC Women’s T20I bowling rankings.
India’s Concerns and Thailand’s Threats
Thailand can rely on Thipatcha Putthawong, described as the leading wicket-taker in women’s T20I cricket, and Onnicha Kamchomphu, who took 3-27 in the opener.
Key facts
- Tournament
- Women’s Asia Cup 2026
- Match
- India Women vs Thailand Women, Group A
- Date
- Sunday, August 30
- Start time
- 8:00 PM IST; toss at 7:30 PM IST
- Venue
- Dubai International Cricket Stadium
- Broadcast
- Sony Sports Network in India
- Streaming
- Sony LIV app and website in India
- Thailand’s opening result
- Reports differ on the opponent: Indonesia or Hong Kong China; the reported margin was six runs.
Sources
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