Chelmsford: Indian women are aiming to reverse three consecutive white-ball series defeats in the final T20 International against England on Wednesday but Smriti Mandhana is more concerned with the team’s indifferent batting performance in the 50-over format. In their last eight ODIs, Indian women have lost six – four at home to South Africa and two against England. While ODI captain Mithali Raj scored three half-centuries in three matches, only one led to victory and her slow batting in the other two did not help.
“We have to work on a lot of things, especially in the batting department. The next seven months will be really important,” Mandhana said at a virtual media conference here, looking at the ODI World Cup to be held in New Zealand next year.
“We have to start scoring good scores. If I talk about the ODI format, we have to start scoring consistently over 250-260 while batting first, we have to work on that,” said the elegant left-hander.
“And of course, consistency can come in our bowling and fielding. We are probably doing a decent run (away) and then recovering, so I think we can be consistent in that department as well.”
India reached the final of the Women’s ODI World Cup in 2017 but lost by nine runs against England chasing a target of 228 at Lord’s.
Mandhana said the Australia series will be crucial to tighten the loose ends ahead of the World Cup to be held in March-April.
The India women’s cricket team is scheduled to play against Australia women’s cricket team in September-October 2021, where they will play three ODIs, three T20Is and their first pink ball day/night Test.
“The next seven months will be very important to prepare ourselves before the World Cup (in New Zealand). Of course, the Australia series is also going to be big in terms of preparations for the World Cup.”
Mandhana was speaking to reporters on the eve of the series decider of the three T20 Internationals, which will mark the end of her one-month tour of England.
Harmanpreet Kaur-led India kept the series alive after beating England by eight runs on the back of brilliant bowling and death fielding.
Chasing a target of 149, England lost six wickets for 31 runs in 5.4 overs, including three runs out in the second T20I at Hove.
“The way we came back in the last five overs, it showed the character of our bowlers and fielders. This confidence will help us give our 100 per cent to win the match tomorrow. But it will be a new day. A win puts us in a position to draw a multiformat series.”
England lead 8-6 in the multi-format series.
He also credited head coach Ramesh Powar for making a positive impact especially with the bowling unit.
“He has had a huge impact on the bowling unit in particular. Ramesh sir helped us a lot the way we came back and the character we portrayed.”
Mandhana further expressed concern that she was not able to replace her debut with the talented Shafali Verma.
He said, ‘I have been opening with him in the T20 format for almost two years. It is really exciting to open with him in all three formats. We get to know each other, talk. It really helps especially in the T20 format. But we have to work out how to proceed till the 15-16th over.”
“We have discussed about the middle overs and death overs and how we can get better. Losing too many wickets in one go puts a brake on the run-rate and puts pressure on the new batsmen. This has happened in previous formats as well. We all understand our mistakes and hope to rectify them.”
Mandhana heaped praises on veteran offspin all-rounder Sneh Rana, who has been a revelation in her comeback series.
“The return of affection has been very inspiring for all of us. I was in the team when she was a member three-four years ago. It is really commendable to see his comeback in all three formats like this. His addition will bring a lot of balance to the batting, especially with his power-hitting abilities.”
She was equally impressive in praising 17-year-old Richa Ghosh, who has impressed a lot in the T20I series after she was asked to don the wicketkeeper’s gloves.
“She has improved in a big way on her keeping. The way she is working hard on her keeping is showing its impact on her match. Taking gloves for us in the long run is useful for our team’s combination and balance Maybe,” she said.
Test and ODI skipper Mithali Raj as well as veteran medium pacer Jhulan Goswami, who is back for the T20I leg, were seen cheering the side from the sidelines.
“He’s a big influence in the dressing room and brings a sense of calm whenever he’s around. He gets something different out of his experience. He’s really boosted our confidence,” she said.
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