Mandhana: ‘Shafali and I have a huge role to play’ at the T20 World Cup
Reflecting on the England Series
The recent T20I series against England served as a critical testing ground for the Indian women’s cricket team. Despite a hard-fought effort, India conceded the series 2-1, a result that has prompted deep reflection from the leadership group. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has been candid about the collective performance, specifically focusing on the responsibility held by the opening partnership.
Mandhana acknowledged that she and Shafali Verma have not provided the explosive starts the team requires. The opening partnerships across the three matches—19, 27, and 0—fell short of expectations. However, Mandhana remains optimistic about their trajectory, noting that Mandhana: ‘Shafali and I have a huge role to play’ at the T20 World Cup if India is to add another global trophy to its cabinet.
The Commitment to Improvement
Addressing the media following the conclusion of the third T20I, Mandhana expressed both frustration and resolve. “For me and Shifu, we are definitely timing the ball well, but unfortunately, we are not able to contribute in big ways for the team,” she explained. The duo prides itself on setting the tone for the innings, and failing to do so in this series has served as a wake-up call. According to the vice-captain, the plan is to return to the nets, refine their technique, and ensure they return as a more cohesive and impactful unit.
Positive Takeaways and Rising Stars
While the opening stands were a concern, the series provided several silver linings. Yastika Bhatia’s return to form was a significant highlight; she finished as the tournament’s top run-scorer with 119 runs. Her ability to anchor the innings after a long injury lay-off is a massive boost for India’s middle-order stability.
Furthermore, the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur continues to be a cornerstone of the side. Her unbeaten 56 off 40 balls in the final match demonstrated her ability to thrive under pressure. Mandhana was full of praise for her captain: “Harman, when she is at her best, it is a sight to watch. Today, she played all over the ground, a really important innings under pressure.”
Tactical Adjustments for the World Cup
India’s bowling unit faced a challenge in the final match, failing to defend a total of 180 as England’s Alice Capsey and Heather Knight orchestrated a brilliant 137-run partnership. Mandhana remains objective about these tactical shortcomings. “We definitely started extremely well with the ball, reducing them to 38 for 3. In hindsight, we would have been able to build pressure with a few dot balls, but we were not able to do that,” she noted.
Looking ahead, the team plans to go back to the drawing board to refine their bowling plans, particularly regarding line and length in English conditions. These lessons are viewed as essential building blocks that will ensure the team does not repeat the same errors when the stakes are at their highest in the World Cup.
The Road Ahead
The T20 World Cup is just on the horizon, with India’s campaign opening against Pakistan on June 14 in Birmingham. Pooled in a competitive group alongside Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands, India faces a demanding schedule. Before the tournament officially kicks off, they are slated to play warm-up fixtures against the West Indies and England.
When asked about the upcoming clash with Pakistan, Mandhana kept the focus on the grander scale of the sport. “India-Pakistan doesn’t need hype,” she stated. “I just feel we really need to hype up the T20 World Cup. We don’t need to do it for India vs Pakistan; it’s already hyped up. I am sure a lot of people are going to come and support us. Hopefully, we can put up a show for them.” With a blend of seasoned veterans and promising talent, India remains a force to be reckoned with, provided they can find the consistency that Mandhana so clearly identifies as the key to their success.
