India star Smriti Mandhana steals the show on Chahal TV

Smriti Mandhana made her debut on Chahal TV, the popular chat series for the BCCI by leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal on Wednesday following her impressive batting display in the first T20I against New Zealand. Mandhana slammed a record-breaking fifty but unfortunately, her knock went in vain as India suffered an inexplicable collapse to lose the game. Mandhana, who recently became the world number one batter in ODIs, scored a fifty in just 24 deliveries to record the fastest half-century in the shortest format by an Indian woman.

With Mandhana firing on all cylinders, India looked well set to chase down 160 against the hosts. At 102 for 1 in the 12th over, it was India’s game to lose and they somehow managed to end up on the losing side. The women in blue lost wickets in a heap after Mandhana’s departure and lost their last nine wickets for just 34 runs to be folded up for 134.

After the game, Mandhana appeared on the very popular Chahal TV which is hosted by Indian men team’s spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. And just like the previous episodes, the latest one was also full of humor. It all began with Chahal heaping praise on Mandhana before cheekily asking whether the opener was inspired by his batting.

Mandhana was equally impressive with the reply, joking that she was inspired after watching Chahal bat during the fourth ODI of the recently-concluded five-match series in New Zealand. Chahal had top-scored for India with 18 in their 8-wicket defeat and has not stopped talking about it since then.

“Yes, yes. I was inspired a lot after seeing you bat in the 4th ODI (vs New Zealand in Hamilton). I felt like I have to develop my game. You’re one my inspirations when it comes to batting,” Mandhana said.

Mandhana also spoke about the ICC Player of the Year award which she had won recently, saying, “I am very happy to have won the ICC Player of the Year award. When Jhulu di (Jhulan Goswami) had won it, I was a kid. I read it in newspapers. It feels nice.”

Mandhana takes a dig at teammates

Mandhana, meanwhile, had taken a sly dig at her teammates after yet another middle-order collapse. Expressing her displeasure over the repeated middle-order collapses, Mandhana had said she needs to take even more responsibility.

“Practically, I would say I have to bat till 20 overs, that is the best option. The more I bat till 18 overs, we won’t collapse because if the top three or 4 batters can bat till the 18-20th overs then rest can revolve around them, so tactically that is what I will try to do,” Mandhana had said.

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