Smriti Mandhana regrets not playing a big knock after getting set in the T20I series opener

Mandhana’s 67 went in vain as India suffered a humiliating six-wicket loss at the hands of Southern Stars on Thursday.

Smriti Mandhana | Twitter

India women’s team opener Smriti Mandhana on Thursday (March 22) stated that the team is not learning from its mistakes and took the blame on herself for India’s six-wicket defeat in the Twenty20 tri-series opener against Southern Stars at Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai.

“We are not learning from our mistakes in the ODIs. I have been timing the ball well, but I have been getting out after getting set, so that is the take away from this match,” Mandhana quoted at the post-match press conference.

Smriti once again failed to convert a good start into a substantial knock. She perished for a 41-ball 67 in the 14th over that triggered India’s collapse as they lost 4 wickets for just 1 run.

“It’s very easy to blame others and not put it on ourselves. As player it is easy to say that they didn’t perform, but the fact is that it is really hard for a new batsman to come and bat, and it is really for a set batswoman to play, so it is much easier for me to continue till the 20th over than for the other batswoman to continue and bat,” she added.

Mandhana, who had scored two fifties in three ODIs against the Australian women earlier this month, also said that she would look to correct this mistake of throwing away her wicket.

“I am taking that blame on myself, that if I am set and hitting the ball well, I should continue, like Mithali di does, we have to learn from our seniors,” India’s T20I vice-captain asserted.

Riding on Beth Mooney’s 45 and Elyse Villani’s 39, the Southern Stars chased down India’s total of 153 with 11 balls to spare. Mandhana admitted that 175 would have been a par score against the strong Australian batting line-up.

“Against this Australian side when I was hitting the ball well I thought anything above 175 would be good because they have great depth in their batting, I was aiming at 17O above but I gave my wicket away,” Smriti said.

She also urged the bowling unit to step-up their and ease out some pressure from the batswomen.

“We are doing the same mistakes in bowling unit, one is performing and others are not supporting. If there is pressure from both ends then the batsmen will go and try something else. Our bowling unit has to step-up and create the pressure which we haven’t done in the ODIs,” Mandhana concluded.

The Indian women’s team will play their second match in the ongoing Twenty-20 tri-series against the England women on Sunday (March 25).

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 23 Mar, 2018

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