Mandhana, who batted first for India, was the most impressive player in the victory, scoring 117 runs off of just 91 balls. At the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on Wednesday, September 17, India Women defeated Australia Women by an overwhelming 102-run margin. Opening batswoman Smriti Mandhana continued her incredible run in white-ball cricket by scoring her 12th century in 50-over internationals.
Mandhana opened as an aggressor, playing with Pratika Rawal. The Mumbai native was pleased to have contributed to the team’s victory in the second of the three-match series, even if she was aware that her previous two hundreds had come against the Australians in a losing cause. She added that, although obviously keeping the surface conditions in mind, she will continue to use a similar strategy with the bat in the forthcoming Women’s ODI World Cup.
I’m glad we won the match today because the last two hundreds I scored against Australia were in vain. The game strategy was straightforward: use the powerplay, try to build an advantage, and then go after it if it was in my spot. The circumstances and the players we play with determine whether we reach an above-par level. Our bowlers receive an additional buffer because you are aware that the Australian team needs to score between 280 and 290. It was necessary to be aggressive because the wicket is quite flat. There won’t be a single game in the World Cup when I don’t use aggression, but it will depend on the circumstances.
Rawal and I are a good fit together: Mandhana
The Maharashtra batter had faith in her collaboration with Pratika Rawal, another opener. For those who are unaware, the combination averages the greatest first-wicket partnership among all openers in Women’s ODI for pairs that have amassed at least 1000 runs between them. Mandhana believes that she and the Delhi batter prefer to keep things simple, and that has been effective for them.
She and Pratika Rawal are a good match for one another. She is cool and collected. That’s how I am too. We don’t make things complicated. It’s doing great, and hopefully it will continue to do so.
Regarding the third and last ODI of the series, it will now take place on Saturday, September 20 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. Prior to the forthcoming World Cup, this will be the final 50-over game for both teams. Due to the current 1-1 tie, the game will also be a series decider.
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