India Women Vs New Zealand Women 2019: Smriti Mandhana Takes An Indirect Dig At Team For Their Collapse In 1st T20I

The stylish southpaw Smriti Mandhana has once again shown her class in the first T20I game against Kiwis. But, unfortunately, she couldn’t see her side sealing the victory, as the rest of the team members has failed to bank on from the good start. The win made New Zealand go 1-0 up in the 3-match T20I series.

From 103/2 in 11.2 overs, they have been packed for 136 runs in 19.1 overs. It really sums up the story of Indian Women problem in the middle-order. Harmanpreet Kaur hung in the middle for a period of time but failed to guide the team to the victory.

Earlier, they got a scintillating 98-run partnership for the second wicket between Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues to reach the 100-run mark in 11th over of the chase.

The more I bat till 18 overs, we won’t collapse – Smriti Mandhana

The opening batswoman quoted that she needs to bat 20 overs or at least 18 overs in order to guide the team to the victory. She feels that the partnership of her with Jemimah was critical but losing both of them in quick succession made things uncomfortable.

“My wicket along with Jemimah’s turned out to be crucial. If you get out back-to-back in T20s, it proves costly. When you are chasing 160 and the run-rate is above 7 or 8, next time we have to plan and play better. It didn’t work out today,” Mandhana said after the match.

“Practically, I would say I have to bat till 20 overs, that is the best option. The more I bat till 18 overs, we won’t collapse because if the top three or four batters can bat till the 18-20th overs then the rest can revolve around them. So tactically that is what I will try to do,” Smriti Mandhana added.

We will look to win the next two games –

Further, she expressed her optimism by adding that they will try to make most of the opportunity in a remaining couple of games. She feels that the spirit in the team is high and want to perform when they take the field.

“Being 1-0 down, we will be under the pump, everyone will be aiming to be better than what we were today and win the next two matches for India, that is what we are thinking and not what happened today,” she said.

Well, as Smriti Mandhana said, the lack of finisher in the team has been clearly visible in the first T20I game. It would be interesting to see whether they would bring Mithali Raj or not for the crucial game.