If you don't believe in cricket, you won't be able to do it – Smriti Mandhana

The Indian women cricket team returned to winning ways as they rocked New Zealand emphatically in the first ODI of the three-match series. Despite a shaky display with the bat, their bowlers were right on the money to leave the White Ferns gasping for breath.

Smriti Mandhana, who led the team in absence of Harmanpreet Kaur, underlined the transition for the Indian women since the last couple of months. She also lauded the individual bursts of brilliance while adding a word about the collective domination of the Indian unit.

Talking about their belief, Mandhana said, “Tough last one-and-half, two months, really happy to start off with a win. (We believed that we could win) Right from the first ball, if you don't believe in cricket, you won't be able to do it. We had a good huddle talk, we felt we were under-par and Saima set the tone for us.”

Smriti concluded with a word of praise for Deepti Sharma, adding, “She has been around with us for the last one-and-half, two months, she has been brilliant throughout, really happy for her and hope this is just the start for her. Whoever batted today, we asked them what is a good length, Deepti is a superstar, she knows what she is doing. Radha and Hema also chipped in, the wicket assisted the spinners in the middle phase.”