India's captain for the Ireland series, Smriti Mandhana, expressed her thoughts on the team's impressive 304-run victory—India's largest margin in One Day Internationals—over Ireland on Wednesday, which resulted in a 3-0 series sweep. Despite the remarkable win, Mandhana pointed out that there is significant scope for enhancement, especially in areas such as fielding and running between the wickets, as the team prepares for the forthcoming ODI World Cup.

Mandhana, who played a pivotal role in several record-setting achievements, garnered attention for scoring the fastest WODI century by an Indian, accomplishing the feat in just 70 balls. Her explosive innings of 135 runs off 80 balls, alongside opening partner Pratika Rawal's outstanding 154, enabled India to establish a formidable target of 436 runs for Ireland. Subsequently, the Indian bowlers dismissed Ireland for a mere 131 runs in just 31.4 overs, ensuring a decisive victory.

"The aggressive approach was intentional. I realized that there are not many opportunities to go out and play aggressively. Therefore, I decided to experiment with a few shots. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. Fortunately, it worked today," Mandhana remarked following the match.

Mandhana praises teammates

Mandhana, who exemplified leadership through her batting performance, also acknowledged the efforts of her teammates, stating, "I am truly delighted that all the girls had the opportunity to play. The centuries and fifties from the batters have been impressive. I am particularly happy for Jemi (Rodrigues), Harleen (Deol), Pratika (Rawal), and Richa (Ghosh)." Nevertheless, she emphasized that while the team could take pride in their victory, there remains significant work to be done in preparation for the World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in India later this year.

"There are numerous aspects to consider. While we wish to relish this triumph, we need to focus on the World Cup. We must improve our fielding and our running between the wickets," Mandhana asserted. "In a 50-over match, with 300 balls in play, excelling in these two areas will be crucial. If we perform well in these departments, we can achieve something remarkable."

Despite the record-setting victory, Mandhana described the team's performance as nearly "clinical." She remarked that the bowlers executed the game plan effectively, and aside from her own dropped catch, the match was nearly flawless. "Winning the toss, opting to bat, and scoring over 400 runs was fantastic. The way Richa and Pratika batted was commendable. It was superb that the bowlers wrapped it up in the 31st over," she noted.

Pratika Rawal, who earned the title of "Player of the Match" for her remarkable score of 154, expressed her enthusiasm as she neared her first century. "I was envisioning the celebration when I would kiss the helmet; that was my focus," she shared.

The Delhi cricketer, who has accumulated 444 runs in six ODIs this season at an average of 74, conveyed her admiration for Mandhana. "She makes batting look effortless. I have no issue taking a back seat when she is at the crease. It is truly a pleasure to watch," Rawal remarked.

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