A purple patch is being enjoyed by Smriti Mandhana in the all-format trip against the visiting South Africa squad. With 343 runs in three One-Day Internationals and an incredible 149 in her lone innings of the One-Off Test, Mandhana is clearly superior to everyone else. She sat down with another cricketer Veda Krishnamurthy on JioCinema’s “In The Nets” for an open discussion about their game and her flawless batting approach.
Smriti Mandhana highlighted two essential batting stance principles that give her the firm foundation needed for her cover drives. Whether you bat right- or left-handed, having a solid foundation is crucial for batters. I find that if my feet are the same breadth as my shoulders, my head will remain in the centre,” she said. “I also try to keep my hands close together. When I bat first and face the new ball, my head falls if my bat strays. This rule is applicable to every shot—not just the cover drive.
Veda inquired as to whether Smriti was attempting to broaden her repertoire after praising Smriti Mandhana as an old-school batter who has mastered essential strokes.
Mandhana gave a thoughtful and sincere response. “It’s helpful to have more shots in your repertoire, particularly because a straight bat lets me reach every part of the field.” I have thought of including more shots, though. We’re still working on the sweep, reverse-sweep, and lap pictures. Although I want to be comfortable with reverse sweeps soon, I’m not quite there yet.”
Mandhana also emphasised the cricket game’s ongoing need for development. “A cricket player can never say they are perfect. You can always improve; all you need to do is have the correct attitude. Success eludes you even with multiple attempts if you don’t adopt the proper mindset.”
Following a one-off Test, the ladies of India and South Africa will face off in a three-match Twenty20 International series, which begins on July 5.
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