India’s opener Smriti Mandhana has asserted that the Indian team has improved massively since their defeat against Australia in the ICC T20 World Cup last year. The Indian team is in Australia for the multi-format series comprising three ODIs, one day-night Test, and three T20Is, starting on September 21.
In the last encounter between the two teams, Australia emerged as winners by 85 runs to win the ICC T20 World. Speaking on “The Scoop Podcast”, Smriti Mandhana said:
“The team has grown massively (since the T20 World Cup). COVID was a big break after the T20 World Cup and a lot of girls had a chance to go back and understand more about their games, where they lack as an individual and come back stronger.”
“The whole team has worked on their fitness and skills…we are still getting into a rhythm of playing matches continuously but the last five, six months we have been playing cricket and now we are getting back into the match mindset. Hopefully, the series goes well for the whole team,” she added.
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No one will tell you they don’t like batting in Australia: Smriti Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana also stated that the Indian team loves to play against Australia as they are very competitive on the field. She added that as the Australian wickets have true bounce, every batter loves to bat in the country. Mandhana said:
“We all love playing against Australia because they are one of the best teams in the world and quite competitive. When it comes to Australia, you’re a bit more pumped because the level of competitiveness the Australian team, it just rubs off on us and we also start being extra competitive.”
“Australian wickets have a true bounce and I think everyone loves batting in Australia. No one will tell you they don’t like batting in Australia,” Smriti Mandhana concluded.