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Smriti Mandhana was clearly not pleased with the fielding efforts and hopes to see a difference in the upcoming games.
India’s fielding concerns were put in the spotlight during the opening ODI against Ireland. (Image: Sportzpics)
India Women’s skipper, Smriti Mandhana was critical about her side’s fielding performances and felt that they should have restricted Ireland to just 180 runs in the opening ODI that took place in Rajkot on Friday.
The hosts were in front as they reduced Ireland to 56/4 but they went on to register 238 runs with skipper Gaby Lewis and Leah Paul scoring 92 and 59 respectively. India’s fielding standards were once again under the spotlight with three dropped catches and misfields taking place.
While the Indian team went on to chase down the target without much fuss, Mandhana was clearly not pleased with the fielding efforts and hopes to see a difference in the upcoming games.
“We need to get better at fielding. We should have restricted them to 180, will be aiming to do that going forward. We have to go out there and execute our plans, that’s going to be important,” Mandhana said during the post-match presentation.
She also appreciated the bowling unit for putting on a solid performance despite conditions that favoured the batters in Rajkot.
“To bowl on these sort of wickets, which have nothing in it, the bowlers did a really good job… The way they executed the slower balls and bouncers. Every game here on, we need to execute,” she commented.
Mandhana set the platform for India’s chase with a quick 29-ball 41. But it was the pair of Pratika Rawal and Tejal Hasanbis that stole the show as they chipped in with 89 and an unbeaten 53 to help India complete the chase easily.
“Really happy for our batters. Tejal finished off well. It was a perfect day for us. Matches are won by the things we do behind the scene. Need to stick to our routine and do all the right things,” she added.
Rawal had made her debut in the previous series against the West Indies. She however, missed out on a shot at making her first century. She remains focused on helping the team get the desired results while keeping her intent in check.
“I am not thiking about the results, not thinking about the big numbers, just taking it one match at a time. Whenever the ball is in my slot, I try to hit boundaries. Otherwise I just try to push it down the ground,” she said.
