Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026: Thipatcha Putthawong wins toss, elects to bowl first against Team India

Harmanpreet Kaur, Thipatcha Putthawong (Pic: X/@BCCIWomen)

In the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 match against Team India, Thailand's stand-in skipper Thipatcha Putthawong has won the toss and elected to bowl first at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.

Thailand's regular skipper Naruemol Chaiwai will not be available for the match against the "Women in Blue".

After winning the toss, Thailand's stand-in skipper Putthawong said, "We are going to bowl first. Yes, Nannapat Koncharoenkai is injured. [How much are you planning to restrict India for?] Nothing more than 170. [On playing India] Yes, we are excited".

On the other hand, Pratika Rawal is set to make her T20I debut for Team India. Initially, she was not a part of India's squad for the continental event, but a hamstring injury to Jemimah Rodrigues earned Rawal a call-up.

Team India's captain Harmanpreet Kaur said, "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".

India has been the most dominant team in the Women's T20 Asia Cup over the last decade - winning the title thrice in five editions of the T20 format since 2016-17 - but their performances bring forth more concerns than assurances at the moment.

Team India has lost nine of 16 T20Is this year, and their most recent loss - against Australia in the Women's T20 World Cup - knocked the "Women in Blue" out of the competition at the group stage itself. Thailand, meanwhile, will look to draw confidence from the victory over Hong Kong in the opening match, for which the side had to work hard.

Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026, IND W vs THA W: Confirmed Playing XIs

India: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Bharti Fulmali, Richa Ghosh (WK), Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Shree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Nandani Sharma.

Thailand: Natthakan Chantham, Nannapat Kioncharoenkai (WK), Chanida Sutthiruang, Suleeporn Laomi, Onnicha Kamchomphu, Thipatcha Putthawong (C), Phannita Maya, Aphisara Suwanchonrathi, Sunida Chaturongrattana, Nannaphat Chaihan, Naomi Hamilton.