Really good signs for women’s cricket: Smriti Mandhana

Smriti Mandhana on India's Series Whitewash and Women's Cricket Progress

Smriti Mandhana expressed her elation over India's series whitewash, particularly the record-breaking 400-plus total in the second ODI. The Indian captain praised her batters for their clinical performance, saying, "Yeah, definitely. I think putting 400-plus, these are really good signs for women's cricket."

Mandhana attributed the team's success to the refreshing intent with which they batted in the series, with her and fellow opener Pratika Rawal going all guns blazing from the start. The Indian captain revealed that it wasn't as much in the plans before the start of play, but they felt they could go past 400 around the 35th over.

The captain also reflected on the amount of time her batters got to spend in the middle, which was a significant factor in their success. With Harleen Deol and Rodrigues already in good form, India decided to promote Richa Ghosh to no.3, which worked as she got a fifty of her own.

Mandhana herself has been on a supreme purple patch in the format, beginning the new year in style. She expressed her intent to play shots within her arc, which was evident in her performance against Ireland's bowlers. The captain praised her bowling unit, saying, "I think today the wicket also gave a lot of assistance to our spinners, because it was the same wicket which was used in the first two ODIs as well."

Mandhana also spoke highly of her opening partner Pratika Rawal, who has already hit three fifties apart from her century today. The captain praised Rawal's balanced mindset in attack and defense, saying, "I'm really pleased with the way she's batting. I feel she has a really calm head on her shoulders, knows what she's doing."

Key Takeaways

• India's batters set a new record for the highest ODI total of 435/5.
• Smriti Mandhana expressed her elation over the team's series whitewash and the record-breaking total.
• The Indian captain praised her batters for their clinical performance and the refreshing intent with which they batted in the series.
• Mandhana attributed the team's success to the amount of time her batters got to spend in the middle.
• The captain praised her bowling unit, saying they bowled brilliantly throughout the three ODIs.
• Pratika Rawal has already hit three fifties apart from her century today, and the captain praised her balanced mindset in attack and defense.