Shillong: India faces Hong Kong China this Thursday in their second Group A fixture of the 2026 Women’s T20 Asia Cup. The match takes place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Seven-time champions India need a sharper batting display after a messy outing against Thailand. Despite winning by 94 runs, India collapsed in the second half. They lost seven wickets for only 29 runs.
Opener Shafali Verma hit 64 off 36 balls, but the middle order failed. Coach Amol Muzumdar wants an aggressive approach. The team struggled after leg-spinner Suleeporn Laomi dismantled the lineup. Smriti Mandhana fell early after a lazy run-out. Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh, and Bharti Fulmali also posted low scores.
India’s bowlers saved the day. Nandani Sharma and Kranti Gaud grabbed early wickets. Deepti Sharma took three wickets in seven balls during her 150th T20I match. Thailand ended on 65. India’s coach said the batting performance requires work, as the team looks to deliver a "better batting performancet" before facing Pakistan on Saturday.
Hong Kong China enters the game after a six-run loss to Thailand. Pacer Marina Lamplough shined with 4-11 and 22 runs off 11 balls. Kary Chan remains a key threat after hitting 28 off 20. India’s squad features Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, G Kamalini, Arundhati Reddy, Prema Rawat, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani, Renuka Thakur, Nandni Sharma, Kranti Gaud, and Pratika Rawal. Hong Kong China fields Natasha Miles, Maryam Bibi, Chan Ka Ying, Chan Sau Ha, Chan Shing Yan Dorothea, Iqra Sahar, Joyleen Kaur, Mahekdeep Kaur, Mariko Hill, Marina Lamplough, Ruchitha Venkatesh, Shanzeen Shahzad, Siu Mei Wai, Wong Wing Kiu Hailey, and Yasmin Daswani.
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