Deepti Sharma became the leading wicket-taker in women’s T20 Internationals as India opened their Women’s Asia Cup campaign with a 94-run win over Thailand in Dubai.
The India all-rounder returned 3 for 0 in 1.1 overs, taking her career total to 171 T20I wickets and moving past Thailand left-arm spinner Thipatcha Putthawong. The landmark came in Deepti’s 150th T20I for India, giving the result an individual achievement that will travel well beyond a one-sided group-stage scoreline.
Shafali Verma supplied the early acceleration with 64 from 36 balls, including eight fours and three sixes, as India raced to 101 for 2 inside 10 overs. Thailand hit back impressively through Suleeporn Laomi’s 3 for 26 and Sunida Chaturongrattana’s 2 for 31, triggering a middle-order collapse in which India lost eight wickets for 46 runs before closing on 159 for 9.
Thailand never seriously threatened the target. Deepti’s burst dismantled the middle order after the openers had been contained, while India’s attack kept the chase to 65, sealing a 94-run margin that immediately strengthened their position in Group A.
The result also puts renewed focus on India’s depth entering a tournament that includes a September 5 meeting with Pakistan. India are pursuing an eighth Women’s Asia Cup title, while Deepti’s 171-wicket mark now stands as the global T20I benchmark.
