Smriti Mandhana once again stood tall for India Women, top-scoring with a brisk 54 off 37 balls in a challenging contest that demanded early intent and composure at the top. Her innings provided India with momentum and direction after a positive start, even though the team ultimately fell short against a disciplined Australian side.
Opening the batting, Mandhana set the tone immediately. She was proactive without being reckless, picking length early and trusting her timing rather than forcing power. Against both pace and spin, she looked fluent from the outset, using her trademark cover drives and crisp cuts to find the boundary regularly during the powerplay. Her approach ensured India capitalized on the fielding restrictions, an area where they had struggled earlier in the series.
Mandhana’s fifty came at a healthy strike rate and reflected her growing maturity as a T20 batter. While the early overs allowed freedom, she adapted well once the field spread and Australia’s bowlers tightened their lines. Instead of going into survival mode, she kept the scoreboard ticking with smart singles and well-judged twos, maintaining pressure on the fielding side.
The left-hander’s shot selection was a standout feature of the innings. Rather than attempting high-risk slogs, she targeted gaps and used the depth of the crease effectively. Against spin, she trusted her footwork, stepping out when needed and sitting back when bowlers shortened their length. This balance allowed her to control the tempo of the innings during a critical phase.
Mandhana also played an important leadership role during her time at the crease. With wickets falling at the other end, she resisted the temptation to overattack. Instead, she absorbed responsibility, understanding that India needed a solid platform to push towards a competitive total. Her calm body language and clear intent helped stabilize the innings during moments where momentum threatened to stall.
Australia’s bowlers eventually found a way through, breaking Mandhana’s stay just as India looked set for a strong finish. Her dismissal marked a turning point, as Australia tightened the screws immediately after. Without her presence, India struggled to maintain the same scoring rhythm in the latter overs, highlighting the importance of her contribution.
Despite the loss, Mandhana’s innings was one of the positives for India Women in the match and the series as a whole. It reinforced her status as the side’s most dependable top-order batter and a player capable of matching elite bowling attacks on big occasions. Her ability to start quickly while still batting deep remains a vital asset for India in T20 cricket.
From a broader perspective, Mandhana’s 54 was also a reminder of what India’s batting unit can achieve with clarity and intent. When she fires, India look far more competitive, and her innings provided a blueprint for others — maximize the powerplay, rotate strike in the middle overs, and choose moments to attack rather than forcing them.
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