With seven months left for the World Cup, we need to score more than 250 regularly: Smriti Mandhana Cricket News – Times of India

Chelmsford: Indian women are aiming to reverse their three-series losing streak with the white ball 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 one day captain Mithali Raj Scored three half-centuries in three matches, only one came as a win and his slow batting in the other two served no purpose.
“We have to work on a lot of things, especially in the batting department. Going forward, the next seven months will be really important,” Mandhana said at a virtual media conference here. world Cup in New Zealand.

“We have to start scoring good scores. If I talk about the ODI format, we have to start posting 250-260-plus scores consistently while batting first,” said the prolific left-handed batsman. .
“And of course, we can have consistency in our bowling and fielding. We are probably a good 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 myself 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. That confidence will help give us 100 per cent to win the match tomorrow. But it will be a new day. Wins keep us going in multiformat series. in a position to make,” she said.
England lead 8-6 in the multi-format series.
He also credited the head coach Ramesh Powar To make a positive impact especially with the bowling unit.
“He has been a big influence especially on the bowling unit. Ramesh sir helped us a lot in the way we came back and the character we showed,” he added.
Mandhana further expressed concern that she was not able to replace her debut with the talented Shafali Verma.
“For almost two years now, I’ve been opening with him in the T20 format. It’s really exciting to open with him in all three formats. We know each other, interact. It’s really special in the T20 format. It really helps. But we have to work out how to proceed till the 15-16th over.”
“We have discussed about middle overs and death overs and how we can get better. Losing too many wickets in one go breaks the run-rate and puts pressure on the new batsmen. This has happened in the previous formats as well. We all have understood our mistakes and will hope to rectify them.”
Mandhana heaps praise on the veteran off-spin all-rounder Sneh Rana Which has been a revelation in his comeback series.
“Sneh’s return has been very inspiring for all of us. I was in the team when she was a member three-four years back. It is really appreciable to see her come back like this in all three formats. Especially for her power-hitting abilities. Also, add a lot of balance to the batting.”
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 said, “She has improved a lot in her keeping. The way she is working hard on her keeping, it shows on her match. She will be taking the gloves for us in the long run for the combination and balance of our team. could be useful,” 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 added.