Harmanpreet Kaur Confirms the Availability of Smriti Mandhana

smriti-mandhana

Mandhana-smiritri

India’s journey in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup has been going smooth as they registered a convincing win against Bangladesh after winning against the hosts and defending champion Australia in the tournament opener. However, India’s vice-captain Smriti Mandhana was not there in the second game due to viral. But she is expected to be featured in the third game against New Zealand on Thursday.

However, India T20 captain  Harmanpreet Kaur said Mandhana has been feeling better and probably will play the game as well.

“Smriti is feeling better and will hopefully available for the next match,”

she said at the presentation ceremony. “There’s still two-three days left and she should get better.”

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Along with this, the captain also praised youngsters Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues for their valuable contributions. While Shafali Verma was the Player of the Match for her scintillating 17-ball 39, Jemimah played a composed knock of 34 off 37.

“The way Shefali and Jemimah played, it showed their capability and it’s a good sign for us,” said Kaur.

“Veda (Krishnamurthy, who hit an unbeaten 20 off 11) did a great job for us, we needed a few boundaries at that time. We are looking each game at a time and looking forward to doing well in the future.”

Shafali Varma, meanwhile, hoped to maintain her flamboyant form in the upcoming fixtures as well.

“I had it in my mind that since Smriti was not around, I wanted to bat long. I have been practising being aggressive and want to continue doing that. I want to win matches for India and win the World Cup,” added the youngster.

On the other hand, Bangladesh captain Salma Khatun said that their bowling in the Power Play was not up to the mark, where they conceded 54 runs. They were 18 runs short where their middle-order needed to step up.

“We didn’t bowl well in the Power Play, and we didn’t field well. That’s why we didn’t play well. We have to improve in the Power Play,” said Bangladesh captain Khatun.