'Opposition's biggest worry is to dismiss Mandhana': Nayar identifies India's X-factors for T20 WC success
New Delhi, June 14
As India chase a maiden Women's T20 World Cup title in England, much of the spotlight will naturally fall on established stars. But Abhishek Nayar believes that India's campaign could hinge on a combination of proven match-winners like Smriti Mandhana and emerging performers who are capable of shaping games across different phases.
For years, Mandhana has been the face of India's batting unit across formats, combining elegance with remarkable consistency. Nayar believes her ability to score all around the ground makes her one of the most difficult players in the world to contain.
"In any tournament, the opposition's biggest worry is how to dismiss Smriti Mandhana. If they don't, she can hurt them badly. And she does it in many ways. She is one of the few batters who can hit different areas with tactical precision. She plays square of the wicket on both sides. She can hit straight down the ground. She uses her feet well against spinners, walks across, and plays them behind square.
"Her variety in terms of the shots that she plays and the range of areas she can access make her dangerous. With only four fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle in women's cricket, Smriti has the freedom to keep finding gaps and rotating the strike. The longer she bats, the harder she becomes to bowl to. Once she is set, she hurts the opposition when it matters most. That is why she is so important for India," Nayar told JioStar.
While India's batting strength is well documented, Nayar believes the team's success will depend just as much on how effectively it exploits English conditions with the ball, particularly during the powerplay and middle overs.
"I have a clear set of players in mind who I think will be crucial for India in this T20 World Cup. The first is Kranti Goud. She will bowl with the new ball. In England, the ball will swing and seam early on, so making the most of the powerplay is vital. Kranti's role with the new ball is critical. Next is Shree Charani. She is a very important part of the bowling attack. Many teams rate her highly. She takes wickets in the middle overs and keeps the run rate down. These two bowlers add great value to the team," he stated.
With early movement likely to assist seamers and larger grounds rewarding disciplined spin, Nayar sees both bowlers playing defining roles in controlling games before India's batting depth takes over.
At the top of the order, however, he singled out Shafali Verma's aggressive approach as a crucial ingredient. A quick start from the explosive opener, in Nayar's view, could create the ideal platform for one of the most feared batters in women's cricket to dictate the contest. That batter, unsurprisingly, is Smriti Mandhana.
"Everyone else is important too, but when it comes to powerplay batting, Shafali Verma needs to fire. She has to go hard so that Smriti Mandhana can take her time to settle in and then take charge later. So, I believe these three - Kranti, Shree Charani, and Shafali - are the ones India will be relying on. They need to start the tournament in good form," he mentioned.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I love Nayar's breakdown of Mandhana's versatility. She's not just about flashy shots—it's her tactical awareness and ability to access all areas. That's what makes her world-class. The women's team has so much depth now, it's exciting to watch.
Good analysis overall, but I wish Nayar had also mentioned our middle-order stability. We've seen collapses in the past when the top order fails. Players like Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh need to step up too. Still, optimistic about this squad! ✌️
Smriti Mandhana is simply poetry in motion! That bit about how she uses her feet against spinners and plays them behind square gives me chills. And Shafali going hard in the powerplay—imagine that combo! This could be our year, ladies! 💪🏏🇮🇳
I hope the selectors and coach back these X-factors properly. In the past, we've seen talented young bowlers not getting enough chances. Kranti and Shree Charani have the skills, but they need the belief and consistent support from the management. Finger crossed! 🤞
As an Australian cricket fan, I've seen first-hand how dangerous Mandhana can be. She single-handedly won games against us. If India's bowlers deliver in English conditions, they're a serious threat. This World Cup is wide open! Great read.
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