Thailand cricketer Natthakan Chantham expressed enthusiasm for hosting the 2026 Rising Stars Women’s Asia Cup in Bangkok, considering it a significant moment for the sport in Thailand. The tournament, featuring eight teams, will take place from February 13-22, with India ‘A’ as the defending champions led by Radha Yadav.
Playing on home soil is described by Natthakan as a special and motivating experience for the Thai team. Despite the pressure, she views it as a source of motivation, drawing energy and a sense of responsibility from the support of their home crowd.
Reflecting on their disappointment of missing out on the Women’s T20 World Cup, Natthakan emphasized the learning opportunities gained from that setback. The experience has led the team to focus on improving not just their skills but also their mindset and game awareness, aiming to emerge mentally stronger for the Asia Cup.
Natthakan highlighted that Thailand’s primary goal for the tournament is to compete at a high standard across all aspects of the game, focusing on maintaining consistency in fielding, bowling, and batting. The team aims to set standards and demonstrate maturity as a unit, prioritizing these aspects over just the final results.
Drawing from her international experience, Natthakan emphasized the importance of mental adjustments required to compete against top cricketing nations in Asia. She stressed the significance of patience, adaptability, and emotional control in building and sustaining an innings at the international level.
While acknowledging the advantage of familiar conditions in Bangkok, Natthakan also recognized the need for adaptation at the international level, irrespective of the location. She pointed out that while the team is accustomed to the local conditions, international cricket demands the ability to adjust to varying circumstances.
The presence of the tournament in Thailand has significantly boosted the visibility and support for women’s cricket in the country, especially among young players and families. Natthakan sees this as a positive sign of growth for women’s cricket in Thailand, instilling hope for the future development of the sport.
Natthakan identified match experience under high-pressure situations as the key difference between Thailand and the top-ranked teams in Asia. She emphasized the need for more competitive games and opportunities to bridge this gap, focusing on developing both mental strengths and skillsets to compete at a higher level.
Offering words of encouragement to young Thai girls aspiring to play cricket, Natthakan emphasized self-belief, patience, and the importance of enjoying the process. She encouraged them to focus on improvement, stay committed, and express themselves on the field, believing that opportunities will arise with dedication and perseverance.
