Indian Women’s team has received a big boost ahead of the Asian Games as opener Smriti Mandhana has returned to form. The Indian opener scored a fluent 55 off 36 balls to help Southern Brave beat Trent Rockets by 27 runs in the first match of the Women’s Hundred 2023 at Trent Bridge on Tuesday.
Mandhana, who was retained by Brave on a top-bracket £ 31,250 contract, smashed eight fours and a six in her innings. She shared a 71-run opening stand with Danni Wyatt and a 49-run partnership with Maia Bouchier to power Brave to 157 for 6, the highest total in the women’s Hundred at this ground.
Mandhana’s knock was the highest individual score in the women’s competition so far, surpassing the unbeaten 52 not out by Oval Invincibles’ Dane van Niekerk in the final last year. Mandhana was also named the Player of the Match for her brilliant batting display.
Mandhana’s FIFTY – A great boost for Team India
Mandhana’s return to form is a good news for Team India ahead of the Asian Games in September, where they will be aiming to win their first gold medal in women’s cricket. Mandhana had a lean patch in the recent tour of Bangladesh, where she managed only 64 runs in five T20Is at an average of 12.80.
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Mandhana said she had to adjust to the conditions and the bowlers after coming from Bangladesh.
“Initially, I didn’t know two or three bowlers. I had just watched their videos, so it was important for me to see them and how the wicket was playing, because I’ve just come off a tour from Bangladesh and the conditions were pretty different”, Mandhana said.
The Asian Games 2023 women’s cricket event is set to commence on September 19 and conclude on September 26, 2023. The tournament will take place at the Zhejiang University of Technology in Hangzhou.
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