India women’s cricket team skipper Mithali Raj lauded the efforts made by Smriti Mandhana and Poonam Raut which helped India script a comfortable 35-run win over England in the opening game of the ICC World Cup.
India put up a dominating show of batting after being asked to bat first by the English skipper Heather Knight. Backed by Smriti Mandhana’s 90 off 72 balls, the ‘Women in Blue’ posted a challenging 281/3 on the board.
“It’s important you get a good start, it was a brilliant partnership from the openers, so we knew we could post 250plus. I realised the wicket didn’t assist the bowlers but the spinners bowled in the right areas,” Raj said after the match.
Poonam Raut, Mandhana’s opening partner, also batted brilliantly and registered 86 off 134 balls and played the supporting role in the huge 144-runs first wicket partnership. Skipper Mithali Raj (71 not out) complimented the duo’s effort with a record breaking 7th consecutive half-century in ODIs.
“Both batters were hitting the ball well, getting boundaries every over, so we decided to take the Powerplay while they were set,” she said.
England could not withstand the pressure of chasing the huge total and were restricted for just 246 in 47.3, giving Indian a 35-run win. Smriti Mandhana was adjudged as the ‘Player of the Match’ for her knock.
“I think I enjoyed batting with Punam. We were both at the right ends, facing in-swingers, and had a very good partnership, hopefully, we can continue going forward.
“The last five and a half months have been tough but the team physios were incredible in making me [fit to] play.”
The left-hander overcame an ACL injury to participate in the World Cup. When asked she had any persisting problem, she assured that there was nothing serious.
“It’s not the knee, it’s the hamstring, so should be okay [for the next match].
India’s next fixture will be against West Indies on June 29.
Meanwhile, England skipper Heather Knight was unhappy with her bowling unit. She felt that they could have done much better in terms of accuracy and discipline during the first innings.
“We thought it would do a bit more but to be honest we didn’t put it in the right areas, didn’t hit our lines and lengths and made it easier for them. We bowled too short and let them get away,” she said.
“We pulled it back in the middle, backed ourselves to chase that score but lost a few too many wickets and struggled. I thought we were in the game throughout, we got a couple of partnerships going, definitely, when Fran and Katherine were going we were confident.