The Hundred Has Changed The Way People Look at White-Ball Cricket: Smriti Mandhana
Indian Women’s cricket team opener Smriti Mandhana who is currently playing for the Southern Brave Women in the Hundred tournament slammed a fiery 25-ball 46 runs knock against the Oval Invincibles at the Kennington Oval in their most recent match.
Mandhana missed the final week of the Hundred last year, returning home to see her family before flying to Australia for India’s tour. In the post match press conference, talking about her performance, she said that:
“When you get a first-ball boundary, that gives you a lot of confidence. I was timing the ball well, and I was really disappointed to get out – I think it’s a crime to get out in the 40s after batting so well – and really disappointed that I couldn’t play at least until the 90th ball.”
Talking about the long batting line up of the side, she said that having a strong batting line up definitely makes things easier for her, as it gives her the licence to go out there and play her natural game.
While commenting on opening the batting with Dani Wyatt, she stated that it is great to open with Dani and that they form a good opening pair , “We both have our different strengths which we utilize to carry each other and to do well for the team”.
When asked about how they would like to improve as a team in this season, Smriti said that : “It was unfortunate to have lost in the final last season and hopefully we will do better this time and go on to win the tournament”.
When asked about how The Hundred has contributed to the popularity of Women’s cricket she stated that: “With Red-Ball Cricket being more popular in the UK, the Hundred has changed the way people look at White-Ball Cricket and that it is great to see a large number of crowd turning up and supporting the Women’s game “.
In the final question she was asked if similar enthusiasm can be expected for the inaugural season of the Women’s IPL which is expected to be launched in March 2023 by the BCCI Smriti expressed her thoughts, saying that: “I think whenever we play there is a lot of enthusiasm back home irrespective of the format. Indian fans love cricket, and they turn up to support us regardless of whether it is a one-day or T20. So, the Women’s IPL will be great.”
