I'm sensing that for you - Yastika Bhatia reveals Smriti Mandhana’s words of wisdom that led to her comeback

Yastika Bhatia became the second woman to carve her name on the Lord’s Test Honours board after registering her first ton in the longest format of the game. However, the road wasn’t easy for Bhatia. After recovering from a serious knee injury, Bhatia returned to action, joining forces with Smriti Mandhana to add 73 runs for the second wicket in the second innings.

In an interview following the day’s play, Bhatia credited Smriti for her golden advice as she returned to international cricket and immediately made history. Bhatia narrated that the last six months were a journey to savour, taking her from the dirt to domination.

Acknowledging her achievement, Bhatia said, “It's unbelievable because six months ago I was in a very different place and if you would have told me that I would have my name on the honours board I wouldn't have believed it. But it's all small steps to that place and I have worked really hard and my family's support was there since my beginning so all of that really paid off today. It's a really great feeling."

Revealing Smriti’s golden advice, Bhatia added, “I had a conversation with her and she just looked at me and she said that this is going to be a turning point in your career. She said that because the injuries or setbacks, bigger setbacks, she also faced.”

Bhatia further continued, “She told me, 'after that injury I learned so much about everything, little, little things in rehab in cricket, so it completely changed me, so I think for you also it will be like that and your entire mindset will change, your game will go into a different level, I'm sensing that for you,' she told me that.”

Yastika continued, “I was a little nervous about how things will go but she said, 'keep doing your hard work, you are a sincere kid, you are a good human, just keep doing hard work and one day your time will come'. She gave me those reassuring words and she helped me then."