CWG 2022: Smriti Mandhana Joins Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma In A Rare Feat In T20Is

Indian women’s team opener Smriti Mandhana achieved a great milestone during the Commonwealth Games 2022 game against Pakistan on Sunday.

After a remarkable performance by the Indian bowlers, particularly spinners Sneh Rana (2/15) and Radha Yadav (2/18) helped the team to bowl Pakistan out for 99 in 18 overs. Renuka Singh Thakur, Meghna Singh and Shafali Verma picked a wicket apiece.

Smriti Mandhana hits 63* vs Pakistan in CWG 2022

Mandhana got off to a flying start in the chase of a minuscule target with 44 runs in 26 deliveries in the powerplay overs. The southpaw completed her 15th T20I half-century in a fashionable style, hitting straight down the ground for a six off Tuba Hassan.

She remained unbeaten on 63, her innings was laced with eight boundaries and three sixes, as India went past the finishing line with 50 balls to spare.

Mandhana joined Indian men’s team batting greats Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to become the third batter from the country to score more than 1000 T20I runs while chasing the target.

Mandhana has now amassed 1059 runs in 40 innings at 32.09 in the chase. Kohli leads the charts with 1789 runs and Rohit is behind him with 1375 runs in the second innings.

It was an important match for us in terms of qualification: Smriti Mandhana

India’s win against Pakistan keep their semi-final hopes alive after they lost to Australia in the CWG 2022 opener by three wickets.

“For us it was an important match in terms of qualification. So definitely this match was really important in the consideration of qualification because we did not win the first match. These two points and the Barbados match are really going to be important for us to go in the semi-final,” Mandhana told reporters after the match.

India will play Barbados on August 3 in a clash which could be touted as the virtual quarter-final fixture of this tournament.

Barbados lost to Australia by nine wickets on Sunday after a poor show with the bat led to them being bowled out at 64. Australia took 8.1 overs to see off the target.

Also Read: “Had Goosebumps When Neeraj Chopra Won It”- Smriti Mandhana Wants To Win Gold At Commonwealth Games 2022