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[Saba Sports News] Indian opener Smriti Mandhana shared that her growing understanding with batting partner Shafali Verma over the past two and a half years has significantly enhanced their performance as a duo. Mandhana and Shafali, who started opening together in T20Is in 2019, have become India’s most successful opening pair in the format, accumulating 2079 runs across 66 matches at an average of 31.98.
Since 2021, they’ve also opened in ODIs, adding 767 runs in 19 matches with an average of 34.86, positioning themselves to become the top opening pair in this format for India as well.
During the current T20I series, they have put together 118 runs in four matches. “I am really happy, and it’s always fun to bat with Shafali. Over the last couple of years, we’ve developed a clearer understanding of our roles and which bowlers each of us targets,” Mandhana told T-sports. “This mutual understanding enhances our batting strategy, sometimes with Shafali playing a supporting role when I lead, and other times, I support her.”
Mandhana expressed hope that their partnership will continue to strengthen, especially with the World Cup on the horizon. She also praised the ongoing series as a productive step towards adapting to conditions expected at the ICC T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in Bangladesh from September-October.
Reflecting on her experience in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), Mandhana emphasized its importance in developing India’s bench strength, noting that it has prepared several players for international cricket. She described the WPL as a vital platform for emerging talent, contributing significantly to women’s cricket in India.
Mandhana, a leading run-scorer across formats for India, credits her success to being a diligent student of the game. “I’ve been part of the international circuit for ten years, and the game has evolved significantly,” she remarked. “Staying focused on learning and adhering to the basics has been crucial for me. It’s about doing the right things consistently and letting the results follow,” she concluded.