Trailblazers skipper Smriti Mandhana said not knowing once they would get to play next gave them extra motivation to “give their all” within the Women’s T20 Challenge final against Supernovas here on Monday.
The Indian players returned to action after a six-month break thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic and with the planet still browsing the health crisis, their playing future remains uncertain.
“I just told the women that these are the last 20 overs of the tournament. due to the COVID-19 situation we do not know when we’ll begin next, so we wanted to offer it our all,” Mandhana said at the post-match presentation after her team defended a modest 118.
“140 was quite achievable and this is often what i want to figure on in finishing innings. 135 would are ideal but nevertheless 118 was good on this wicket. it had been a tough wicket to bat on and that we had quality spinners.”
Mandhana, who was also named player of the match for her 49-ball 68, said she had wanted to hold on but couldn’t .
Asked about life during coronavirus-forced lockdown, she said, “The first one two months of the lockdown was good to spend time with the family. The players within the last three-four months got time to travel out and begin hitting some balls.
“It was an honest time for all folks to travel back and work on ourselves which we do not get usually.”
Losing captain Harmanpreet Kaur rued the shortage of partnership in her side’s run chase.
“It wasn’t that tough a complete to chase but we just didn’t get partnerships. we would have liked two good partnerships, but we didn’t,” she said.
“We couldn’t roll in the hay this point but it’s a part of the sport and we’ll take it as a learning
Harmanpreet, who top-scored for her side with 30 off 36 balls, batted with discomfort towards the top of her knock and she or he was seen limping while running between the wicket.
“The injury isn’t that bad. it had been really tough for me; while fielding only I got hurt but you’ve got need to be there for the team. i attempted my best but couldn’t win it for the team,” said the India T20 skipper.
She said sitting reception during the lockdown was really difficult.
“But we’ve to respect the items that are happening and be safe. Yes definitely, women’s cricket is back.”
Player of the series for taking eight wickets, including a five-for on Monday, Supernovas’ Radha Yadav said the plan was to bowl the traditional stock ball because the track was spinning.
