Mandhana Aims for Continued T20 Dominance After Maiden Century

Smriti Mandhana Aims for More After Landmark T20I Century

Smriti Mandhana, the dynamic Indian opener, described her recent maiden T20I century as a "special" milestone, acknowledging that the format requires continuous effort and improvement. While admitting that power-hitting doesn't come naturally to her, she expressed her commitment to refining this aspect of her game.

Smriti Mandhana (AP/PTI Photo)

Leading the team in the absence of the injured Harmanpreet Kaur, Mandhana showcased her prowess with a brilliant 112 in the opening T20I against England at Trent Bridge. This century not only propelled India to a commanding 97-run victory but also marked her entry into the exclusive club of cricketers who have achieved centuries in all three formats of the game – Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.

"It's a nice feeling because this format is something where, as a batter, I need to keep pushing and improving," Mandhana stated after her match-winning performance. "It's not a very natural format for me. I like to time the ball, not hit it hard. It's always been a work in progress - and still is."

Mandhana expressed her satisfaction in seeing her dedicated power-hitting training translating into success on the field. "To get a hundred in this format is pretty special. I've been working a lot on my power game and it’s nice to see it come through."

She also voiced her support for fellow opener Shafali Verma, who scored 20 off 22 balls. "I've seen Shafali bat brilliantly in the nets over the past week. She just needs to shake off the nerves. A big knock isn't far away."

Mandhana revealed that she was informed of her captaincy duties just two hours before the match. However, she emphasized that the added responsibility did not affect her approach to batting. "With the bat in hand, it doesn’t matter if you’re captain or not. You have to deliver for the team, and I’m happy I could do that today."

With India leading the series 1-0, the focus now shifts to the second T20I in Hove. Mandhana will be aiming to maintain her form and guide her team to another victory.