Smriti Mandhana
On October 8, 2024, Indian batter Smriti Mandhana brushed off concerns regarding India’s net run rate (NRR) ahead of their upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup match against Sri Lanka. Speaking to the media, she emphasized that winning the game is more important than focusing on NRR. India, which suffered a heavy defeat against New Zealand in their opening match, made a comeback by winning against Pakistan. However, their slow chase left them lagging in the NRR standings.
Mandhana stated that conditions in the UAE are tricky, making it hard to score quickly. She mentioned that their primary focus is on playing according to the situation rather than trying to attack every ball. The team’s strategy will prioritize victories first, leaving NRR considerations secondary.
India’s batting order has changed, with Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur rotating positions. Mandhana explained that these adjustments were due to pitch and ground conditions rather than a planned tactic. She believes that they will assess each match and make lineup changes as needed.
India’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, who had a neck injury in the previous match, has been declared fit to play. However, Pooja Vastrakar has lingering injury concerns. The final decision on Vastrakar’s availability will be made on the morning of the match.
With all teams in Group A currently on two points, the upcoming matches are crucial for India to secure a spot in the knockout stages. They will first face Sri Lanka, followed by a high-stakes clash against defending champions Australia.
Current Group A Standings
| Country | Team | Matches Played | Wins | Losses | Points | Net Run Rate (NRR) |
|---|
| 🇳🇿 | New Zealand | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | +1.500 |
| 🇱🇰 | Sri Lanka | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | +0.650 |
| 🇦🇺 | Australia | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | +0.300 |
| 🇮🇳 | India | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -0.450 |
| 🇵🇰 | Pakistan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1.200 |
With a tightly packed group and four teams tied, each match becomes critical for semifinal qualification. India’s upcoming games will test their ability to perform under pressure, especially given their low NRR. Mandhana remains confident in her team’s potential to deliver in these high-stakes matches. She reiterated that while NRR is a factor, India’s focus is purely on winning each game to keep their tournament hopes alive.
Mandhana also acknowledged Sri Lanka’s strengths, particularly their spin attack, and noted that adapting to each bowler will be key. Sri Lanka, who started the tournament well, will be eager to bounce back after a narrow loss to New Zealand.
As both teams prepare for the clash, the pressure is on to deliver strong performances and stay in contention. A win for either side will solidify their chances of moving forward, while a loss could spell trouble in this competitive group.
Mandhana’s clear-headed approach and emphasis on playing smart cricket rather than getting bogged down by net run rate should inspire confidence in her teammates. However, India will need to be mindful of the small margins that decide T20 games, especially with NRR playing a potential role in tiebreakers.
