IND-W vs THAI-W: The Indian women's team on Thursday thrashed the Thailand side by beating them by 74 runs in the first semi final of the Women's Asia Cup 2022. The women in blue came out to be too much for the Thai side as they dominated the contest in both departments. For her crucial knock with the bat and a handy contribution with the ball, Shafali Verma has been adjudged as the Player of the match. With this win, India have reached the finals of the Women's Asia Cup 2022 for a record eighth time.
India made three changes to the team. Harmanpreet Kaur, Renuka Thakur and Radha Yadav made their way into the playing XI. India were asked to bat first on a tricky surface of the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Rain fell in the morning before the match and the track was favouring the bowlers. But the Indian team played with a positive mindset. The openers- Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma started carefully. While Mandhana was sent back early, Shafali scored a crucial 42 off 28. After she departed, captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues held the innings and ensured the run flow. India finished at 148 runs in the first innings.
Coming into the bat, Thailand was never let off by the bowlers. Led by the spinners, India yet again dismantled the Thai batting lineup. The openers went quickly and neither batter gave any trouble to the Indian team. Captain Naruemol Chaiwai scored 21 off 41 and Nattaya Boochatham scored 21 off 29, while no one else could cross the single-digit margin.
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The Indian team's dominance in the continental tournament speaks a lot. The women in blue have reached into the finals of the Asia Cup for a record eighth consecutive time. Notably, India has belted the trophy six times from 2004 to 2016, and have lost the cup only one time. Their only defeat in the final came in 2018 against Bangladesh.
The Harmanpreet Kaur's side now awaits the second finalist as Sri Lanka and Pakistan have locked horns in the second semifinal of the tournament.
