Mandhana hails Pratika Rawal’s ‘calm head’ and flexibility

Mandhana, India’s stand-in captain within the absence of Harmanpreet Kaur, was stuffed with reward for Rawal after the match, and famous her versatility as one in all her largest strengths.

“Yeah, actually happy with the best way she’s batting,” Mandhana stated of Rawal. “I really feel [she] has a very calm head on her shoulders, is aware of what she’s doing, has I feel each type of video games, the place she will be able to speed up in addition to play the defensive position, which is nice as a batter to have.

“To see her rise from the primary one-dayer in opposition to West Indies [last month] to now could be very nice, and good runner between the wickets as properly, converts those into twos, which all the time helps in one-day cricket. So actually blissful for her, and I hope she retains persevering with her type, as a result of it is a massive yr for us [India are due to host the ODI World Cup in August-September].”

India’s batters loved a vastly productive collection in opposition to Eire, chasing down 239 in lower than 35 overs within the first ODI and posting 370 within the second earlier than Wednesday’s record-obliterating occasions. Mandhana felt that the Rajkot pitch was the sort the place batters may play their pictures with utmost freedom, and she or he definitely did on her approach to scoring India’s fastest-ever ODI century, off 70 balls, and ending with 135 off 80 balls.

“I’d love to hold this wicket [everywhere I go] as a batter for positive, however as a captain I do not know. It is a laborious wicket to bowl on. However for me it was very clear than I wished to exit and try to play pictures that are in my arc, as a result of it is not day by day that you just get the chance to try this as a gap batter, as a result of generally it’s a must to exit and respect the situations and play, however [on] wickets like these and the outfield – if it is in your slot, it’s a must to go for it.

“There was no clear plan. I simply stated, if it is in my arc, I will go for it. Some days it comes off, some days it would not. Right now I am blissful that it got here off.”

Having posted a document whole, India went on to defend it with aplomb, with spinners Deepti Sharma, Tanuja Kanwar and Minnu Mani sharing six wickets and assist bundle Eire out for 131. The 304-run win was India’s largest in ODIs.

Eire had batted by means of their 50 overs within the first two ODIs, however Mandhana felt India’s bowlers had been simply nearly as good in these two video games – it was simply that there was a bit extra assist for the spinners within the third ODI, with the identical pitch getting used by means of the collection, and that Eire’s batters had tried to play extra pictures in pursuit of their steep goal.

“I feel as we speak the wicket additionally gave a number of help to our spinners, as a result of it was the identical wicket which was used within the first two ODIs as properly, so there was a little bit little bit of spin on provide,” Mandhana stated. “I feel first two one-dayers, there was not a lot in it, and likewise as we speak they got here out and have been making an attempt to play some pictures, and generally, when the batters play pictures, that is one of the best time to get alternative to get them out.

“Within the first two one-dayers I believed they have been simply making an attempt to take a single or double, which once more… it is a laborious wicket to bowl and try to get them out. I would not say that the bowlers didn’t do [well] within the first or second ODI. I feel they bowled brilliantly within the first and second ODI as properly, however as we speak there was a little bit bit extra within the wicket for them and, as I stated, the batters enjoying pictures helps.”

For all of the harm the spinners did, it was quick bowlers Titas Sadhu and Sayali Satghare who set the tone, taking two of the primary three wickets to start Eire’s slide.

“Yeah, I feel they each bowled very well, obtained us the primary two early wickets, which is all the time good to get with the brand new ball, units the foundations for the spinners to come back,” Mandhana stated. “Saima [Thakor], Sayali, Titas, all three bowled very well all through the three ODIs, and it is a fairly tough wicket and outfield to bowl [on], so actually blissful for them.”