For me, it’s just about doing the right things - Smriti Mandhana

Smriti Mandhana powered India to a sensational total against the Netherlands in Leeds as they secured a staggering 95-run win. India leapfrogged Australia to climb into the pole position of the Group A points table with the win, courtesy of a superior NRR.

Mandhana's 74 off 47 gave India the head start they were looking forward to. Not only did she offer India the platform to go big but she was also part of an important century partnership alongside Shafali Verma. Talking at the post-match presentation after winning the Player of the Match award, Smriti Mandhana opened up on scoring her second consecutive half-century while underscoring her preparation for the ongoing biennial extravaganza.

Shedding light on her current form and the conditions in Leeds, Mandhana said, "I think it was a good batting wicket for sure. I mean, whenever we have come to Leeds, I’ve played a few matches here in the Hundred, but it’s always been a good batting wicket and a quick outfield. And again, I mean, Netherlands did a really good job today."

Explaining the challenge that Netherlands posed, Mandhana stated, "Well, of course, it’s like unknown territory for all of us. We’ve not seen a lot of them. So we had to go through a lot of videos in terms of how they bowl and how we willl be approaching the game. And one thing we always pride ourselves on is that we don’t take any team differently because it’s their first time or anything. I just thought they put up a really good fight. They fielded really well, and for us it was just about focusing and doing the job for the team."

She concluded by talking about her own form and preparation, stating, "Yeah, again, I wouldn’t say I was middling the ball the way I would still like to. I’m still a work in progress. But really happy with the way Shafali batted today. We had a good partnership and it was good to have her back among the runs. And again, I mean, Shree Charani bowled extremely well. So for me, it’s just about doing the right things, waking up every day, doing the right things, and then seeing how the match goes."