Smriti Mandhana, the swashbuckling opener, lauded the crucial contributions from the lower-order batters after her side’s emphatic win in the recently concluded match. Mandhana, who played a pivotal role at the top of the order, acknowledged the significance of the partnerships forged down the line in securing a comfortable win.
“It was a great all-round performance from the team,” Mandhana said. “The bowlers did a fantastic job restricting them to a low total, and then we chased it down comfortably. But what really impressed me was the way the lower-order batters took responsibility and stitched together those crucial partnerships.”
Mandhana highlighted the importance of these partnerships in building a strong foundation for victory. “In big matches, it’s not always about the top-order batsmen firing,” she explained. “It’s crucial to have batters lower down the order who can bat sensibly and build partnerships. That takes a lot of pressure off the top order and allows them to play their natural game.”
The lower-order partnerships, according to Mandhana, instilled confidence throughout the team. “When the lower-order batters contribute like that, it gives a huge boost to the team’s morale,” she said. “It shows that we have batting depth, and that’s a very important thing to have in any format.”
Mandhana’s praise for the lower-order batters reflects the growing importance of all-round batting performances in modern cricket. With matches often being decided by fine margins, the ability of the lower-order to contribute valuable runs can be the difference between victory and defeat.
