Opener Smriti Mandhana Reveals The Secret Of Her Big-Hitting

India Women opener, Smriti Mandhana credits her mother, Smita, as a reason for her power-hitting game with which she is adept in clearing the boundary line with ease.

After India’s series-levelling victory against South Africa Women on Tuesday, Smriti Mandhana, who top-scored with an unbeaten 80 off 64 balls as India chased down the target of 158 without any fuss, revealed that her mother’s healthy vegetarian food kept her fit during the lockdown, and after that as well; the Indian women’s team is playing international cricket after a year.

Before the ongoing home ODI series against South Africa, the Women in Blue last appeared in the final of the T20 World Cup against Australia at the MCG.

“My mummy is more diet-conscious than me. She is very strict. She doesn’t allow me to have junk type of food and gets very angry on me if I consume such food. But yes, mom has been very helpful in keeping my diet in order. She used to send me protein laddu, dry fruit laddu, and used to tell me to eat those stuff in between matches, which has definitely aided me,” Smriti Mandhana said in a video uploaded on the BCCI’s official website.

Wanted to be not out till the end: Smriti Mandhana

Senior pacer, Jhulan Goswami rocked the visitors in her opening spell after India decided to bowl first having trailing in the series. Goswami took 4 wickets while 2 scalps went to pacer Mansi Joshi, 3 to spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad, and 1 to Harmanpreet Kaur as South Africa was bowled out 157.

Despite losing Jemimah Rodrigues early, Mandhana, supported by a half-century from Punam Raut attacked her way to 80* as India level the series with one ODI to go.

The left-hander, who got out for 14 in the first match, said that she wanted to remain not out till the end and see off the chase herself.

“In the first match, there was a little bit of moisture in the initial overs, so I was trying to leave many deliveries. In this match though, the wicket was quite good to bat on. So I just said to myself, let’s try and be not out till the end. Just try and react to the ball.

“I think I am most comfortable when I react according to the ball. If I premeditate that I have to play in a certain way, then I get out. So I just watched the ball and played accordingly. Initially, I got the ball in my areas, so that helped me get underway,” the 24-year-old opener said.

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