Indian opener Shafali Verma conceded that the batting unit will have to assess where it went wrong during the side’s Asia Cup 2026 opener against Thailand here on Sunday.
Shafali smashed 64 off 36 balls in India’s 94-run win against the Southeast Asian side, but there was much to ponder after the side slumped from 90 for one to 127 for six, before recovering to post 159 for nine.
The poor batting performance did not cause any hiccups as Thailand was shut out for just 65 in reply.
“We will just go back and see where we are going wrong as a batting unit and where we can improve. Today’s game is done, and we did really well, and whenever we go to our room, we are just thinking about what we can improve and what we can give more to the team,” Shafali said in the post-match press conference.
Shafali said the batters needed to adapt better as the innings progressed on a pitch that offered some turn and bounce.
“We all knew there would be a turning track, there would be a bit of hold, so we were aware about this track,” she said.
“The new ball was coming on nicely. After the ball gets old, there is a bit of hold and there is a bit of turn,” she explained.
Shafali also acknowledged that she could have played the ball better after it gripped when he was dismissed on 64.
“As a batter, I was set at that time. I just made a bit of a mistake. The ball gripped a little bit and came a little late. I might have been able to play it grounded,” she said.
The opener gave credit to Thailand’s bowlers for making India work hard for their runs.
“It’s just cricket, in the end. I know we have to grow, and we’re just trying hard to show good cricket in the middle. We have practised hard for that, but just credit to the Thailand bowlers,” she said.
– Inputs from PTI
Published on Aug 31, 2026