Throughout the Women’s World Cup 2025, Smriti Mandhana has been in incredible form, scoring 365 runs at an average of 60.83 and a strike rate of 102.53 in seven innings. She defeated Australia in the league stage in Visakhapatnam earlier this month with an impressive 66-ball score of 80. She attempted to slog-sweep for a six in the 25th over, but was out to Sophie Molineux. The southpaw made a deep hole to Phoebe Litchfield. After losing the match by three wickets, India was eventually knocked out for 330 in 48.5 overs.
A slightly longer stay by Mandhana at the crease would have undoubtedly resulted in a higher final score for India. Anjum Chopra, the former captain of India, spoke on the Mumbai batter’s outstanding performance in the ODI series that preceded the World Cup against the Women in Yellow. When India plays Australia in the semi-final on Thursday, October 30, she hopes the vice-captain would give it her all. Mandhana was advised by the cricketer-turned-commentator not to waste her wicket after starting, as she had done in the match against the Australians.
The former India batter was asked about Mandhana’s significance in the upcoming semi-final match on the Star Sports show “Follow the Blues.” He replied, “Yes, absolutely, and I think she will also be waiting to step up because the manner in which she played in those three ODIs prior to the World Cup, she will also want to just unleash all the good work and the hard work that she has put in to get to that position.”
In contrast to someone else taking her wicket, she would prefer not to repeat the error she made when she scored 80 runs against Australia before throwing it away. However, she also acknowledges that she must redo all of the hard work,” she continued.
She possesses the ability to win matches: Smriti Mandhana and Reema Malhotra
Reema Malhotra, a former cricket player for India, was questioned on Follow the Blues regarding Mandhana’s performance during the undefeated 34-run knock off 27 balls versus Bangladesh that was rained out on Sunday, October 26.
“Smriti Mandhana’s presence in this form is a positive indicator. She has the class, and Smriti would be considering how important her role is as well. She is unique among players in that she can bat all the way through. She’s really good at winning matches. She responded, “She is able to perform well under duress because the pressure doubles in knockout or semi-final matches.
Under pressed, Smriti Mandhana no longer crumbles but instead rises to the occasion. She is aware that her team relies on her. The powerplay is when she bats. Therefore, whether she bats first or chases, she merely establishes the groundwork. “I am not sure if Pratika will be present, but if she is not, her role will be doubled,” Malhotra noted.
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