One year back, this kind of chase might not have happened: Smriti Mandhana

Finishing off close games has been an achilles heel for the Indian womens team over the years but the work put in during the last 12 months showed in sides close win against world champions Australia said vicecaptain Smriti MandhanaMandhana scored 79 off 49 balls as Indian women nearly pulled off their highest ever chase before both teams at tied 187 Mandhana also scored 13 in the Super Over to fashion the winWe havent come good in close games against them although we have given them a fight Close matches are something that whole Indian team is trying to work on and it started from the Commonwealth Games semifinal Some matches have started going our way People are adapting to pressure and we have a lot of matchwinners Mandhana said at the postmatch press conference on SundayMandhana said that 45 odd runs off 25 balls is something that even one year back she wouldnt have envisaged that the team would be able to chase downIf 45 is required off 25 balls the Indian womens team a year back you never knew and it might not have happened Now we have Richa Deepti Sharma and we have Devika Vaidya They are developing well the senior player saidAlso read2nd T20I Smriti Richa power India Women to victory against Australia Women level series 11In fact she knew that Richa who hit four towering sixes in all including one in Super Over would do something specialWhen I got out in regulation overs as I was leaving I told Richa match khatam karke aana hai You have to finish the match and she replied Okay Didi I knew she would do something specialAs far as her innings was concerned it was about taking the game deep till 16th over and taking it from thereonMumbai tracks are always good for batting and I was disappointed in missing out during the first game I didnt want to lose out on the opportunity this timeShe laughed heartily when asked if she had visualised a Super Over and she would be playing a significant role in itI would be lying if I say I visualised Not even in my dreams I expected a Super Over Now that it has happened may be I will visualise that I can do it she said adding that she has been a part of Super Overs during the WBBL and for games involving her state side MaharashtraGood for Richa Shafali to play U19 World CupMandhana welcomed BCCIs move to send Richa and Shafali for playing the U19 World Cup in South AfricaWhen we were 16 or 17 we used to hear rumours about U19 womens World Cup It will be good for them and also we can play two girls in their places and know what our bench strength is Mandhana said47000 at DY Patil Stadium an indicator of WIPLs potentialA crowd of over 25000 assembled to watch the first WT20I and about 47000 fans watched the second matchThe team in a nice little gesture took a lap of honour to thank the supportersThe WIPL has been announced It is a massive opportunity and a stepping stone This is the last home series we are playing before WIPL If people come to watch these matches I am sure this will give confidence to all those who would bid for the teams she saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever