By reaching this landmark, Sharma joins an exclusive group of Indian players, sitting alongside captain
A Decade of Consistent Contribution
Since making her international debut over a decade ago, Sharma has become a cornerstone of the Indian side. Entering the match against Thailand, she boasted an impressive record of 1,270 runs and 168 wickets in the format. Her versatility as an all-rounder—capable of bowling crucial spells and providing stability in the middle and lower order—has made her an indispensable asset for India across various major tournaments.
The Asia Cup has been a particularly successful hunting ground for the 27-year-old. Sunday’s appearance marked her fourth edition of the tournament, having first featured in 2018. Her previous Asia Cup record included 19 appearances, 148 runs, and 26 wickets. Notably, she has finished as the leading wicket-taker in the last two editions of the tournament, claiming 13 wickets in 2022 and 10 wickets in 2024.
New Faces and Tournament Ambitions
The match against Thailand also served as a debut for Pratika Rawal, who was presented with her maiden T20I cap by captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Rawal was called into the squad as a replacement for Jemimah Rodrigues, who was ruled out of the Asia Cup and the upcoming Asian Games due to a right hamstring injury.
Ahead of the toss, which was won by Thailand’s Thipatcha Putthawong, Kaur emphasized the team's focus on maintaining a ruthless approach throughout the tournament. India enters the competition aiming to improve upon a challenging run of form, having recorded nine losses in their previous 16 T20I outings this year. With the conditions in Dubai expected to favor spin, the team will be looking to leverage Sharma’s extensive experience to anchor their campaign.
