Watching Smriti bat is always a pleasure. To see her pierce the gaps on the off side with precision is testimony to what she is capable of. Bowlers, more often than not, don’t get Smriti out. She herself does. And that’s wherein lies the issue. Technically she doesn’t have an issue with the short ball or with anything anyone hurls at her. But it is her attempt at dominance that results in her undoing more often than not. For Smriti it is about reining in her instincts. For herself and for India. Not play the shots that have resulted in her downfall and play those, which are relatively risk free in the powerplay. Smriti, it is time to accept, has under performed in key contests and the current world cup is her opportunity to set the record straight.
As I am writing this piece, Smriti has just scored a very well played fifty against Australia in a hugely important world cup match. And each time she performs, India gets into a position of strength making her a key player at the top of the order. The truth is if Smriti bats for 20 overs in a 50 over contest, India will win more often than not. She will score at an acceptable strike rate and will either set the match up or take control of the chase. Also, with her out there, the opposition is always under pressure. She is Smriti Mandhana after all and no team can breathe easy with her in the middle for India.
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After three consecutive low scores against Sri Lanka, Pakistan and South Africa, the murmurs were getting louder. I for one was getting a tad frustrated as well. You want your best to perform at the biggest of stages and there could be no better game than against Australia to make a mark.
In fact, the Smriti impact could be understood if we analyse the first over of Sophie Molineux in this ongoing game. Sophie is key to the Australian attack and India needed to counter punch to throw her off gear. Smriti did that to perfection in the first ball itself. She stepped out and launched Sophie over mid on for a telling boundary. A 15 run first over and all of a sudden the momentum had changed.
Many have asked me in the last one week if India can beat Australia. Is it at all possible against the best team in the world? The answer is an overwhelming yes. India has time and again come close and there is just no reason why Harman, Smriti and the likes can’t beat the Aussies in conditions that are expected to suit India. With Smriti getting hold of herself mentally and make a telling contribution, India has already started to look good in this game.
After the South African heartbreak it was much needed. A long Smriti innings will mean India will have taken a major stride to beating Australia and keeping the knockout equations in their favour. Anything to the contrary and it could be another setback for this team. As leader in the change room, it is her moment. To lead by example and showcase her brilliance.
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