Will Play According To The Merit Of The Ball: Smriti Mandhana
First Published: 18th July, 2024 9:12 IST
Smriti Mandhana has played 136 matches and 131 innings, where she scored 3320 runs at an average of 28.13 and a strike rate of 121.83
India batter Smriti Mandhana opened up on her mindset before the start of the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 and said that she just plays ‘according to the merit of the ball’.
In the T20 format, Smriti Mandhana has played 136 matches and 131 innings, where she scored 3320 runs at an average of 28.13 and a strike rate of 121.83.
The defending champions, India, will kickstart their journey towards a record-extending eighth Asia Cup title when they meet arch-rivals Pakistan at Dambulla tomorrow.
Speaking on Star Sports, Mandhana said it is easier to bat in the second inning since a team will get the target, which makes it easier for them to calculate the risk.
“My mindset is just to play according to the merit of the ball. Sometimes you bat first or you bat second. Definitely, when you bat second, you have that score in front of you, and you can calculate your risks, and you can go for it. In the first innings, I feel in T20, it’s a bit of a disadvantage that you don’t know what you have to get to. But I think not to complicate it too much, just play according to the merit of the ball. It’s very simple, just keep it simple. I feel like that,” Mandhana said, according to Star Sports.
Leading up to the Women’s Asia Cup, Team India has enjoyed a lot of on-field sucess, like beating South Africa 3-0 in the ODI series and one-off Test recently in June-July and drawing the three-match T20I series 1-1, with one game washed out due to rain.
Before that, India had a successful tour of Bangladesh, beating them 5-0 in T20Is from April-May.
Between December last year and January, India also hosted Australia for a one-off Test, three ODIs and T20Is each, winning the Test match, but losing the ODI series 0-3 and the T20I series 1-2.
All of these series/tournaments will be crucial for India’s preparations for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup being held this year from October 3-20 in Bangladesh, where India will be aiming for its first-ever major ICC women’s trophy.
Also Read: Assam cricketer Uma Chetry debuts as wicket keeper in India’s Women cricket team against SA
COMMENTS
TOPMOST STORY NOW
Live Read About ‘Ponrung’ Bat Roost Cave in Arunachal that was Inaugurated by Minister Ojing Tasing
22nd March 2025
Live ‘Ponrung’ Bat Roost Cave in Arunachal Pradesh Gets a Boost with Infrastructure and Rs. 20 Lakh Funding
22nd March 2025
Live TSF Welcomes CM Manik Saha’s Statement on Kokborok Script But Vows to Continue Agitation
22nd March 2025Live Supreme Court Judges Visit Relief Camps In Manipur’s Churachandpur, Inaugurates Legal Service Camp
22nd March 2025
WE RECOMMEND
“Please Be Healthy, Be Happy…”: SRK Cheers KKR Players Ahead of IPL 2025 Opener Against RCB
SRK Cheers KKR Players: Shah Rukh Khan landed in Kolkata to attend the grand opening ceremony of IPL 2025 at Eden Gardens.
22nd March 2025
Boxing legend George Foreman passes away at 76
One of his most memorable moments came in 1974 when he faced Muhammad Ali in the legendary Rumble in the Jungle in Zaire.
22nd March 2025
Surprise: Guwahati to Now Host 3 IPL 2025 Matches. Riyan Parag to Captain RR in 2 Matches in Front of His Home Crowd. Check Details
Riyan Parag's debut will take place on March 23 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad. Then he will be leading RR in 2 matches in Guwahati
21st March 2025
Riyan Parag Creates History as First Assamese to Captain Rajasthan Royals for First 3 Matches of IPL 2025
This achievement makes him the first Assamese player to lead an IPL franchise, a significant milestone for the region.
20th March 2025
BFI Secy Stopping Lovlina, Other Assam Boxers From Competing in Nationals: BFI Chief
Singh stated that Assam officials have discouraged players from participating in the championships.
20th March 2025