India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has downplayed her recent success with the bat, stating she is still far from her best despite registering back-to-back half-centuries in the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup.

Mandhana, who returned to form with a 68 against Pakistan, followed it up with a fluent 74 off just 47 balls against the Netherlands. Her performance played a crucial role in India’s dominant 95-run victory, which also marked the team’s biggest-ever win in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup.

Commanding opening partnership

The left-handed opener stitched together a commanding 115-run partnership with Shafali Verma, who contributed a brisk 55. The solid foundation enabled India to post an imposing total of 209/5, their highest ever in the tournament.

Mandhana’s innings was studded with 11 boundaries and a six, with a strike rate exceeding 157. Despite the impressive numbers, she remained self-critical about her performance.

“I wouldn’t say I was middling the ball the way I would still like to. I’m still a work in progress,” Mandhana said after the match.

Her half-century against Pakistan had ended a prolonged lean phase, during which she went 10 innings across formats without reaching the 50-run mark.

Preparation against unfamiliar opposition

Facing the Netherlands posed a unique challenge for the Indian team, given their limited exposure to the side. Mandhana revealed that the team relied heavily on video analysis to prepare.

“Playing the Netherlands was unknown territory, so we had to watch a lot of videos to see how they go about it,” she said.

She emphasised that India does not underestimate any opponent, regardless of their ranking or experience.

“One thing we pride ourselves on is that we never take anyone easy,” she added.

Praise for teammates

Mandhana also expressed satisfaction over Shafali’s return to form, highlighting the importance of the opening partnership in setting up big totals. She further lauded young left-arm spinner Shree Charani for her impressive bowling performance.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur echoed similar sentiments, particularly praising Shafali’s all-round abilities.

“She’s always ready with the ball whenever the team needs it. She keeps giving us breakthroughs and she can go on to be a great all-rounder,” Harmanpreet said.

Injury concern for India

Despite the comprehensive victory, India faced a setback when all-rounder Shreyanka Patil suffered an injury scare. She twisted her right ankle while fielding and had to be stretchered off the ground.

Harmanpreet stated that the team is awaiting a detailed medical assessment.

“Right now, I don’t have a clear update,” she said, leaving uncertainty over the player’s availability for upcoming matches.

Conclusion

India’s emphatic win has boosted their confidence and strengthened their position in the tournament. While Mandhana’s return to form is a positive sign, her candid admission reflects a focused mindset aimed at continuous improvement. As the competition progresses, her form at the top of the order will remain crucial for India’s title ambitions.