Smriti Mandhana looks forward to contribute even more in coming matches

Indian Women’s team started off their World Cup campaign with an emphatic win over the hosts of Women’s World Cup 2017. A comfortable 35-run win over England was something they should be lauded for. Team India was put into bat by the English skipper and their openers grabbed it with both hands as both the openers set up a partnership of 144 runs which eventually set the tone for the incoming batsmen.

One of two openers, Smriti Mandhana struck a sizzling 90 runs off just 72 balls as India posted a mammoth 281 runs for the loss of three wickets. Chasing 281 runs, England team never get going and wasn’t able to build on partnerships which eventually helped India dismiss them for 246 runs with 15 balls to spare.

Delighted with her performance

Having put up an enthralling performance with bat, Smriti was named Player of the Match as she guided India to post a hefty total. In the post match presentation, when she was asked to express her views on the performance, she delightedly said that she was waiting for 24th June to come.

“It was (a big day). I was waiting for this day for five and half months. I was preparing for 24th of June from the day I got injured,” said Mandhana, who won the Player of the Match award in her first-ever ICC World Cup outing. “Winning a match for India was the thing I was craving for, for the last five and half months. Getting back and winning the match for India was really good.”

She was dejected by the fact that she wasn’t able to bat through the innings as she got out in 27th over. She wants to bat whole 50 over and score big runs in coming games.

“I think I missed out on a big century,” she conceded. “So, I think I will try and bat for 50 overs and not get out in the 27th or 28th over. That will help the team better.”

She also added that the practice games helped her to get her eye in here in England.

“They were bowling to my strength, and once I hit the first boundary I thought it was going to be my day and I have to play according to the merit of the ball. Hope they bowl next time also to my strengths,” Mandhana said. “I was clueless in the first practice match against England. I did not understand. I was never so nervous in my life. The practice match against West Indies where I scored 82-odd gave me a lot of confidence that I haven’t lost my batting.”