edited by: Aditya Maheshwari
Last Update: February 24, 2023, 15:03 IST
Smriti Mandhana was dismissed for just two runs against Australia in the semi-finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup (AP Image)
Chopra suggested that if a player gets out repeatedly against the same bowler then the team cannot trust him in the big occasions.
East India Captain Anjum Chopra criticized star opener Smriti Mandhana for her poor record against Australia’s Ashley Gardner in T20Is. Mandhana was dismissed for the fourth time by the Australian all-rounder during the Women’s T20 on Thursday. World Cup semi-finals. Chasing a target of 173, the southpaw was dismissed for just two runs in the third over, putting India directly under pressure against the defending champions.
Chopra suggested that if a player gets out repeatedly against the same bowler, then the team cannot rely on him in big occasions.
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“Ashleigh Gardner has dismissed Smriti Mandhana four times in T20Is – the fourth instance being the semi-final. If you succumb to a bowler so many times, how can the team expect you?” Chopra said on his YouTube channel
The veteran cricketer also criticized Mandhana’s opening partner Shafali Verma for poor shot selection against Megan Schutt, which cost India an early loss. Shefali got out after scoring 9 runs in the second over.
“Shafali Verma also fell because of a misunderstanding. It was the umpire’s call on LBW, but he should have known that Megan Schutt would have bowled two balls out, but brought the third ball in. Shutt has troubled Shefali before, but I could not see any homework on this. Maidan,” said Chopra.
Mandhana’s recent record in the knockout stages of ICC tournaments has put her under the scanner.
India lost their openers with just 15 runs on the scoreboard but Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues pulled them back into the game with a crucial 69-run partnership. However, India lost their way after Harmanpreet Kaur was run out for 52 as they eventually lost the match by 5 runs.
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Chopra suggested that India should have chased down the target but they did not get the desired start which put them under pressure.
“173 was a target India could chase as they have chased 180 against Australia in the past. Whenever Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana give India a good start, the team performs in a different way. But India didn’t get the start they wanted,” Chopra said.
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