Smriti Mandhana: “After A Long Break, It Takes Time To Get Things Correct”

“Both are top pacers in the world” was India opener Smriti Mandhana’s assessment of South Africa’s new-ball duo Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail. Mandhana said facing Kapp and Ismail in tandem is definitely challenging. “The special thing is that they are really different in the way they both go about their bowling,” she added in a […]
 
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Smriti Mandhana: “After A Long Break, It Takes Time To Get Things Correct”

“Both are top pacers in the world” was India opener Smriti Mandhana’s assessment of South Africa’s new-ball duo Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail. Mandhana said facing Kapp and Ismail in tandem is definitely challenging.

“The special thing is that they are really different in the way they both go about their bowling,” she added in a presser on Thursday (March 11) ahead of the third ODI of the five-match series in Lucknow.

“One likes to bounce a player out, the other relies on her seam. It becomes really difficult as a batter to change your gear. The lines and lengths that Kapp and Ismail bowl are really different.”

Smriti Mandhana: “After A Long Break, It Takes Time To Get Things Correct”

Smriti Mandhana spoke on her plans to counter the South African bowlers.

Not looking to preempt, just focused on reacting to the ball: Smriti Mandhana

Mandhana explained that to counter the South African pace duo she has looked to not be pre-emptive at any stage, instead has just to react to what is delivered to her.

“For me as a batter, I just like to react to the ball and not think about how they bowl,” she said. “I’ve been facing them for five-six years, so I know their strengths and what they are going to target. For me, it’s just about watching the ball and playing according to the ball. That’s my only strategy against them.”

Smriti Mandhana: “After A Long Break, It Takes Time To Get Things Correct”

It’s an approach that has paid rich dividends in the past as well for Mandhana.

“I don’t think much about the pressure,” she said “For me, batting is just reaction, reacting to what the bowler is bowling. So my mental preparation is to remain as blank as I can be. Whenever I think before going to bat, I don’t do as well as I can. I try to keep things simple and not complicate myself with too much thought.”

An elegant left-hand batter, Mandhana scored an unbeaten 64-ball 80 in the second ODI where her innings helped India chase down the South African total comfortably. The hosts were able to level the series 1-1. India raced to the modest target of 158 in just 21.2 overs, reaching there with nine wickets in hand. The only wicket lost was of young Jemimah Rodrigues, who was run-out for just 9.

Mandhana accepted her mistake in Rodrigues’ dismissal and backed her teammate to comeback strongly.

“Generally, I don’t run such risky runs. I judged that run quite wrong and Ismail came quickly. It’s something that I’ll keep in mind, which fielders I have to target,” she said.

“We have come off a one-year break, so as for now we’re just going out there to go and play some good cricket… After a long break, it takes time to get things correct. Even with Jemi, it’s not about her form because she’s batting well in the nets, and that’s why she even started in the match but last match’s wicket was unfortunate. The entire team is confident that Jemi will come back stronger in the third match.”

Mandhana said not just batting and bowling, the Indian team are focused on all-round development, including improving their fielding, fitness and running between the wickets, in the build-up to the next year’s ODI World Cup.

“The bowlers looked really good in the last match, so we want to be consistent with our bowling,” she said. “One thing we’re working on, post-2017 World Cup, is our fitness and fielding. That’s the whole plan for the next one year. Skills can go and come but fitness and fielding standard has to go up and that’s what we’re aiming for in the next one year. Hopefully, we get to a place where we are fielding and running really well between the wickets.”

“We look up to Mithali Raj for her consistency: Smriti Mandhana

Before batting great Mithali Raj scaled the Everest and became only the second women to score 10,000 international runs in the third one-dayer, Mandhana spoke on how big an inspiration she is to her teammates and how proud of her they are.

“We are all aware that she’s going to reach 10,000 runs. It’s amazing. Whenever she gets to 10,000 runs, we as a team will be very proud of her,” she said. “That will be a terrific moment for Indian team overall. It shows how consistent she has been throughout her career. We all look up to her for her consistency.”

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