Smriti Mandhana Aiming For ‘Best Year in ODIs’ After Dominant Series Wins

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January 16, 2025 0 664

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Smriti Mandhana Praises India’s Momentum Ahead of ODI World Cup

Smriti Mandhana expressed optimism about India’s ODI form, highlighting back-to-back 3-0 series sweeps and their perfect momentum as they prepare for the upcoming Women’s World Cup.

Smriti Mandhana believes that India’s consecutive 3-0 series victories against the West Indies and Ireland have set the perfect tone for what could be the team’s “best year in one-dayers.” With the Women’s ODI World Cup set to take place in India later this year, Mandhana is confident that the momentum generated by six straight ODI wins will be key in making the most of the opportunities ahead.

“Two 3-0 sweeps are definitely really good in a World Cup year especially. We have to like keep going and have this for the best year for one-days,” Mandhana said in a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

In India’s recent match, Mandhana and Pratika Rawal shared an impressive 233-run partnership for the first wicket, marking the third-highest opening stand for India in ODIs. The pair set the stage for India’s highest-ever total of 435/5, which also led to their biggest ODI win by 304 runs.

Reflecting On Individual Performances

Mandhana, reflecting on her performance, shared her mindset going into the game, saying, “I wanted to go out and bat with a lot of freedom. I said in the dugout before I went in about that you know, I’m going to try and play my shots because not many times you get an opportunity to do that.”

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Rawal, who scored 154 off 129 balls, including 20 fours and one six, spoke about her approach to batting. “After 70 I was a bit conscious that there was a hundred. I was taking singles and going slow, but when I got the hundred, I was like, let’s just go for it,” Rawal said, adding that she was able to score more quickly after reaching her century.