The Women’s Asia Cup 2026 has already begun on August 28, as the previous edition's finalist, India Women’s National Cricket Team, takes the field for the first time, as they take on the Thailand Women’s National Cricket Team. During the match, all-rounder Deepti Sharma created history as she was playing her 150th T20I match for the Women in Blue.
For Harmanpreet Kaur’s side, this is a redemption tournament after they had a poor Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England and Wales. They failed to qualify from the group stage, marking their back-to-back knockouts from the group stage of the major tournament. The Women in Blue were the runners-up of the Asia Cup last time; this time they will look to win the tournament.
Deepti Sharma creates history
Thailand captain Thipatcha Putthawong won the toss and opted to field first. As Harmanpreet Kaur’s side took the field, Deepti Sharma became only the third Indian to play in her 150th T20I match for the country. She achieved the record in this game of the Women’s Asia Cup 2026. She joined an elite list of 12 women cricketers who have played 150 T20I matches for their respective nations.
She is only the third Indian after Harmanpreet Kaur (203* T20I matches) and Smriti Mandhana (172* T20I matches). Deepti is the latest addition, playing 150 WT20I matches for the Blues. She will look to contribute with the bat if needed and also with the ball when India comes to bowl in the second innings.
List of 12 Women Cricketers to play 150+ WT20I matches
Harmanpreet Kaur - 203
Danni Wyatt - 187
Suzie Bates - 186
Ellyse Perry - 181
Smriti Mandhana - 172
Chamari Athapaththu - 166
Alyssa Healy - 162
Shemaine Campbelle - 160
Nida Dar - 160
Sophie Devine - 158
Deandra Dottin - 154
Deepti Sharma - 150
Deepti Sharma, India's leading wicket-taker
Previously, the star all-rounder became India's leading wicket-taker across formats during the Women's T20 World Cup 2026. Deepti Sharma achieved the milestone in the match against the Australia Women's National Cricket Team. After picking up the wicket of Aussie opener Beth Mooney, she claimed the top rank of the list.
She surpassed the record of Jhulan Goswami, who picked 355 wickets in her glorious career for the Women in Blue. Deepti, after Mooney's wicket, surpassed her, claiming her 356th wicket. She currently has 359* wickets across formats and will look to add to her tally tonight against Thailand.
Pratika Rawal makes her T20I debut
During the toss, Harmanpreet Kaur revealed that Pratika Rawal, who came in as a replacement for Jemimah Rodrigues, made her T20I debut despite several criticisms. She also stated that she wanted to bowl first and they will try to keep things simple and win the game.
Kaur said at toss (as quoted by Cricbuzz), "We also thought of bowling first, but batting first is also not a problem. It is our first match in Dubai. Rather than keeping lot of things in mind, it's about going out there and giving our best."
"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."
