Smriti Mandhana Outlines Indian Women's Cricket Team's Dominance Ambition
Indian women's cricket team vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has declared that the Women in Blue are determined to establish themselves as a dominant force in world cricket. Following their historic first-ever 50-over World Cup victory, the team now sets its sights on clinching the T20 World Cup later this year.
Building on Recent Success Against Australia
The Indian team has started the year with impressive momentum, securing a T20 series victory over Australia—their first series win against the formidable rivals in a decade. This achievement has bolstered their confidence as they prepare for upcoming global tournaments.
"This Indian team is something which we have spoken about is trying to be consistent. Don't think about opposition or what's happened in the past. So we've beaten this, we've beaten that. I feel that's not very important now," Mandhana stated in an interview on BCCI.tv.
She emphasized the team's strategic shift toward sustained excellence rather than focusing on individual victories. "I think we are on the verge of a transition where we want to dominate world cricket. And whoever we beat, wherever we beat, that doesn't matter. We just want to be consistent in beating them and being at the top," Mandhana added.
Key Performances in Decisive Series Victory
In the crucial third and final T20 match that decided the series outcome, Mandhana played a pivotal role by scoring 82 runs. She formed a formidable 121-run partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues, who contributed 59 runs, propelling India to a competitive total of 176 for 6.
India's bowling unit then delivered a disciplined performance, restricting Australia to 159 for 9 and securing the series win. This comprehensive team effort highlighted their growing prowess in the T20 format.
Focus on T20 World Cup Preparation
The women's T20 World Cup is scheduled to take place in England and Wales from June 12 to July 5, providing the next major platform for the Indian team to showcase their development.
Mandhana acknowledged the team's evolving strategy, noting, "This year is a T20 year. Last year was a one-day year where we played a lot of one-day cricket." She explained that while the ODI squad is well-established, the team is actively refining their T20 approach.
"So coming into this year, for sure, I feel like we are a well-settled ODI squad, but we are still working on our T20 game and also what's our best XI and what's our best 15 in terms of T20s. For sure, WPL has played a huge role for us to get better at T20s," she added, highlighting the impact of the Women's Premier League in enhancing their T20 skills.
Personal Reflections and Team Vision
Beyond the cricket field, Mandhana shared her personal appreciation for Adelaide, where part of the series was held. "I mean, I really loved Adelaide as a city, even before playing here. And yeah, it's just very peaceful, nice. I mean, a few Aussies will be very happy when I say that it's the best city in Australia, and actually, I find it the best city in Australia."
The Indian women's cricket team's journey reflects a broader ambition to not only compete but to consistently outperform on the global stage. With a blend of experienced players and emerging talent, they are poised to challenge for top honors in the upcoming T20 World Cup and beyond.
