‘As an opener you don't get a lot of games’ - Smriti Mandhana reveals why she did not bat against Nepal

Star India women’s batter Smriti Mandhana recently came forward and revealed why she did not bat in India’s Women’s Asia Cup 2024 match against Nepal. Mandhana led India women after Harmanpreet Kaur was rested along with all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar.

After India women won the toss against Nepal, the side opted to bat first. Furthermore, it came to the fans’ attention that Smriti Mandhana did not open for the side. It was Dayalan Hemalatha who opened the batting along with Shafali Verma. 

After the game, Smriti Mandhana came forward to explain her decision to not open the bat against Nepal. The decision seemed to pay off as  Shafali and Hemalatha put on 122 runs for the opening wicket, helping India win the game by 82 runs. 

Also Read: 'Take one game at a time' - Deepti Sharma reveals team's mantra after back-to-back victories in ongoing Asia Cup

“As an opener you don't get a lot of games where you don't bat. Much needed game time for all the other batters. The middle order hasn't batted in the previous games. The conditions were different and it is always good to have game time under your belt. The middle order didn't get time in the South Africa series as well, so good they could spend some time in the middle,” Mandhana said in the post-match presentation ceremony.

The preparations started post-WPL: Mandhana

Furthermore, Smriti Mandhana also talked about the Indian team’s preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup. She revealed that the preparations had begun right after the conclusion of the WPL 2024. 

“The preparations started post WPL, there are a lot of fine-tuning to be done, and we have to keep improving, cannot go into a World Cup under prepared,” Mandhana said.

It is also worth noting that Indian women ended their Asia Cup group matches on top of Group A with six points and a net run rate of +3.615, thanks to wins in every game so far.