Smriti Mandhana was nearly apologetic. When she spoke to reporters on Tuesday night time, shortly after scoring a series-winning hundred for India in opposition to New Zealand, the batter was self-critical, for leaving so many balls alone.
It was her captain and associate for the third wicket, Harmanpreet Kaur, who assured her that it was alright to play like that. Smriti may need wished to attain at a quicker charge, however had she not stayed lengthy sufficient, India may have struggled to chase New Zealand’s 232.
India will profit from extra such knocks sooner or later, not simply from her, but in addition from others within the high and center order.
Mandhana hits a boundary, on her option to her century in opposition to New Zealand in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
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Vijay Soneji/The Hindu
Mandhana hits a boundary, on her option to her century in opposition to New Zealand in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
| Photograph Credit score:
Vijay Soneji/The Hindu
Lack of innings like that had harm India within the second ODI, by which the batters flopped, leaving No. 9 Radha Yadav — after flying within the discipline like a Superwoman to take unbelievable catches, aside from claiming 4 wickets — to top-score and scale back the margin of defeat a bit (the host misplaced by 76 runs).
Even within the first match India received, no batter may make a fifty. In subsequent yr’s World Cup, which may very well be performed on surfaces like this, India will want innings just like the one from the fashionable southpaw.
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There have been many positives for India from the three-match collection that got here proper after the frustration of the T20 World Cup within the UAE. It included performances from three debutants Saima Thakor, Priya Mishra and Tejal Hasabnis.
They confirmed they belonged. The 28-year-old Saima has emerged as a fantastic choice in seam bowling.
Saima Thakor celebrates taking a wicket for India in opposition to New Zealand on the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
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Vijay Soneji/The Hindu
Saima Thakor celebrates taking a wicket for India in opposition to New Zealand on the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
| Photograph Credit score:
Vijay Soneji/The Hindu
Tejal is a yr youthful and was India’s highest scorer within the first ODI, which her group received. She regarded assured in opposition to a high quality assault.
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The 20-year-old Priya, a a lot youthful leg-spinner, appears an thrilling prospect. Her dismissal of the New Zealand captain Sophie Devine with a googly was one of many highlights of the collection. As a wrist spinner, she may get even higher with expertise.
Yastika Bhatia’s work behind the wicket additionally merited consideration, as did her knock within the deciding recreation.
The collection in opposition to the T20 World Cup winner, couldn’t have been timed higher for India.
