The second Group A clash of the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 in Bangkok produced a gripping contest as United Arab Emirates (UAE) Women vs India A Women turned into a chase defined by composure, captaincy, and calculated aggression. Under humid Bangkok conditions, India A Women opted to bat first, hoping to put scoreboard pressure on the UAE Women in this crucial T20 encounter.
India A’s innings, however, never truly found uninterrupted momentum. The opening stand was cut short early when Humaira Kazi was bowled for 3 off 3 balls by Samaera Dharnidharka, leaving the score at 1/3 in 1.1 overs. Dinesh Vrinda attempted to counterattack, striking 16 off 13 balls with three boundaries, and briefly stitched together a partnership with Tejal Hasabnis. But Tejal fell for 1 (3), again to Dharnidharka, and India A slipped to 2/9 in 1.6 overs.
The rebuilding phase came through Anushka Sharma and skipper Radha Yadav. Anushka anchored the innings with a patient yet fluent 47 off 45 balls, finding seven boundaries in her knock. The pair added 21 runs before Radha departed for 7 (10), caught off Darnidharka’s bowling at 4/47 in 8.4 overs. The middle overs saw Anushka trying to steady things alongside Minnu Mani (8 off 9), but regular breakthroughs stalled acceleration. Minnu was dismissed at 5/66 in 11.4 overs, and shortly after, Madiwala Mamatha (1 off 4) fell at 6/70 in 13.1 overs.
As wickets continued to tumble, Anushka kept rotating strike, but when she departed for 47 at 7/93 in 16.2 overs, India A’s hopes of a late flourish dimmed. Prema Rawat (4 off 7) fell at 8/119 in 19.1 overs, and Tanuja Kanwar provided a late spark with 34 off 25 balls, smashing five fours at an impressive strike rate of 136.00. However, her dismissal at 9/130 in 19.6 overs meant India A Women finished on 130/9 in 20 overs, at a run rate of 6.50.
The UAE Women bowling attack was disciplined and impactful. Samaera Dharnidharka led from the front with a match-defining 4/40 in 4 overs, breaking the backbone of India A’s top order. Esha Oza chipped in with 2/30 in her four overs, while Vaishnave Mahesh returned figures of 2/13 in 3 overs, maintaining excellent control. Suraksha Kotte (1/18 in 4 overs) and Athige Silva (1/4 in 1 over) ensured there was no late collapse recovery.
Chasing 131, UAE Women began cautiously but steadily. Captain Esha Oza delivered a commanding performance, anchoring the chase with a superb unbeaten 72 off 61 balls, laced with eight fours and two sixes. After Theertha Satish fell for 10 (16) at 1/40 in 7.2 overs, Oza found support from Samaera Dharnidharka. The duo added crucial runs before Dharnidharka was dismissed for 34 off 31 balls at 2/111 in 17.1 overs.
Rinitha Rajith contributed 6 off 7 balls before falling at 3/127 in 19.1 overs, but Oza remained calm under pressure. Alongside Heena Hotchandani (4* off 1), she guided UAE Women to 131/3 in 19.2 overs, sealing a seven-wicket victory with four balls remaining in this Women’s Asia Cup 2026 thriller.
For India A Women, the bowling effort was steady but lacked penetration at key moments. Radha Yadav (1/22 in 3.2 overs), Prema Rawat (1/27 in 4 overs), and Tanuja Kanwar (1/22 in 4 overs) picked up wickets, while Humaira Kazi conceded 12 in her lone over. However, none could dislodge Oza once she settled.
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