Smriti Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana (Credits: Twitter)

Even as no international women’s cricket match has not taken place in months, Smriti Mandhana feels that the COVID-19 pandemic has not impacted women’s more than their male counterparts’. The COVID-19 pathogen has claimed more than a million lives worldwide as it continues to ravage the world and bring everything under its control. Nevertheless, Smriti Mandhana remains optimistic about women’s cricket moving forward.

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The last women’s international game that took place was the final of the 2020 T20 Women’s World Cup between India and Australia back in March. A record crowd witnessed the clash at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) where the hosts beat India convincingly to lift the trophy. Since then, women’s cricket came to a halt and several series has resulted in postponement. However, England and West Indies will square off in a five-match T20I rubber from the 21st of September.

Gautam Gambhir, T20 World Cup, India Women's Team, India
India Women’s Team. (Photo: Twitter)

Smriti Mandhana stressed that the COVID-19-forced break has not impacted women’s cricket and that it got a massive boost after the T20 World Cup down under. She added that if women’s cricket happened after the marquee tournament, then unequivocally it would be better for the game. They have to start performing and renew back the interest level.

Well, I can’t say that it (Covid-19 pandemic) has impacted women’s cricket more. Women’s cricket got a good jump after the T20 World Cup in Australia. “I feel that if the women’s cricket would have happened right after the World Cup then obviously it would be better for the game. Now we have to again start performing and get that interest back,” Mandhana told IANS in an interview.

“Each one of us are keeping our fitness and performing skill work at home” : Smriti Mandhana

Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, ICC Women's T20I Rankings
Smriti Mandhana (Credits: Getty)

The southpaw understands that the women’s team has not played cricket since long; however, they have worked in keeping themselves fit from the lockdown itself. The 24-year old stated that they have resorted to maintaining their fitness and doing skill work at home. At the same time, Smriti Mandhana admitted that match practice sessions are entirely different, so they would see it later.

It is a true fact that we have not played any cricket since the Women’s T20 World Cup final but we all have begun with our training during the lockdown itself. Each one of us are keeping our fitness and performing skill work at home. The match practice sessions are something that is completely different so will see that later,” she added.

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