India, Aug. 31 -- India started their T20 Asia Cup campaign in commanding fashion as they defeated Thailand by 94 runs at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. Defending 160, spinners - especially Deepti Sharma - led the way for India much like they were expected to as they choked unfancied Thailand by sharing six wickets to bowl them out for 65.

Nannapat Koncharoenkai put up a fight with her 48-ball 41, but wickets kept tumbling at the other end. Deepti Sharma's double wicket maiden in the ninth over saw India gain firm control of the match as Thailand were reduced to 44/6.

The finish was looking increasingly inevitable but Thailand were rolled over rather quickly as the batting crumbled. Aiding off-spinner Deepti was left-arm spi...