India captain Mithali Raj praises Smriti Mandhana for her back to back heroics

India captain Mithali Raj has come out praising teammate Smriti Mandhana, who struck her second consecutive match-winning knock, this time an unbeaten century to guide the Indian woman to a seven-wicket win over the West Indies in their second group match of the ICC Women’s World Cup in Taunton. The 20-year-old left-hander from Mumbai was unbeaten on 106 as India chased down a target of 184-runs with more than seven overs to spare.

Mandhana had previously scored 90 of 108 balls in the tournament opener against England and struck 13 fours and two sixes. Along with the captain Mithali, she added 108 runs for the third wicket after India were struggling at 33 for two. Opener Poonam Raut walked back without a run on the board, soon after which Deepti Sharma also had to walk back. But the innings was then stabilised by Smriti Mandhana. The world is in awe of her batting technique, and many say that she brings back memories of Adam Gilchrist’s batting.

Speaking to the media after the match on Thursday, Raj praised Mandhana’s knock. “When we lost two wickets I thought the match was even there but it was important to build a partnership. Smriti played well for her hundred, it was a crucial innings she played and overall the team looks good going into our next game,” the Indian skipper said.

The spinners changed the game for India 

She also pointed out the efforts made by the Indian spinners after the Windies openers were playing very well. Unable to rotate the strike against the India spinners, even players like Deandra Dottin – who has the fastest century in Women’s T20Is under her belt – could laboriously muster only seven off 48 balls.

“We stuck to the bowling plan, it was a good toss to win and I thought the spinners really turned the match. At one point I thought their openers were going very well,” Mithali concluded.