Sports Desk: India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has stressed the need for stronger starts from the opening pair as the team turns its attention to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup following a 2-1 T20I series defeat against England. Despite winning the opening match of the series, India lost the next two games, allowing England to seal the contest. Reflecting on the campaign, Mandhana said the tour provided valuable experience in English conditions ahead of the World Cup, which begins on June 12. The left-handed batter admitted that she and opening partner Shafali Verma need to shoulder greater responsibility at the top of the order and provide a solid platform for the middle order. She, however, remained optimistic about the team’s prospects, highlighting the positives gained from the England series.
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Mandhana also praised captain Harmanpreet Kaur for her crucial innings in the final T20I, describing her batting as a “sight to watch” when at her best. India, the reigning ODI World Cup champions, will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan Women’s National Cricket Team on June 14. Mandhana urged the team to quickly regroup and carry the lessons learned from the England tour into the global tournament. The Indian camp remains confident of making a strong impact at the World Cup, with Mandhana emphasizing that the players are focused on consistency and sustained success on the international stage.
