The Background:
Smriti Mandhana, India women team’s opener, has taken the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 in England by storm. After recovering from a knee injury that kept her out of action for around six months, she has hit the ground running in England.
The 20-year from Mumbai got off to a dream start in her maiden World Cup, slamming of 90 runs off just 72 balls against hosts England in India’s tournament opener to help Mithali Raj & Co. open their campaign with an impressive 35-run victory.
And she bettered her performance in the very next game, scoring a blistering 106 to guide India to a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over World T20 champions West Indies.
The Story:
Anant Tambvekar, Mandhana’s coach, is delighted with her pupil’s outstanding performances in the World Cup so far. Revealing how surprised he was to get a call from Mandhana, Anant said that even after scoring a century against West Indies, the India opener had asked him whether she had made any technical mistake.
“She has not forgotten me yet. After scoring the century in the group league match in the World Cup she called me from London, asked me whether she had made any technical mistake during her century. I did not expect a phone call from her,” Anant was quoted as saying by One India.
‘A Fan of Kumar Sangakkara’
Mandhana might have been compared with the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli and other Indian stalwarts after her brilliant displays but the southpaw adores Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakkara. In fact, she was such a big fan of the former Sri Lankan batsman that she even tried to copy him.
“Smriti was very lively since her childhood. But at the nets, she was extremely disciplined. She never used to leave the nets unless she had mastered a shot. Later on, she became a fan of Kumar Sangakkara. In the nets, she always tried to copy Sangakkara while batting. Sometimes I had scolded her for trying to copy the Sri Lankan great,” revealed Anant.
Business As Usual For Smriti:
Anant further said that even after scoring the brilliant century against West Indies, Mandhana was calm and composed like she usually remains.
“I have never seen Smriti being elated after a century or even after a match-saving performance. She always pretends nonchalant. Last week also, after scoring a century in the World Cup when Smriti called me, she was as usual nonchalant,” he said.
Also Read: (What would Smriti Mandhana have been had she not been a cricketer?)