Harmanpreet fit, team to prioritise win and not chase NRR: Mandhana

India’s vice-captain Smriti Mandhana confirmed that the skipper of the team, Harmanpreet Kaur, has recovered from her injury, which occurred in the side’s clash against Pakistan in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 on October 6 (Sunday). 

“She is doing fine and she will be fine for tomorrow,” Mandhana said in the pre-match press conference on October 8 (Tuesday) ahead of the clash against Sri Lanka on October 9 (Wednesday). 

The left-handed batter also informed about the availability of Pooja Vastrakar, who missed the last game after getting injured in the first one. “I think the medical team is still working on her. So, the update will come only tomorrow during the match. But yeah, I don't think I can say anything at the moment,” Mandhana added. 

Agreeing that it was difficult to adjust for the first few days, Mandhana said that they have now acclimated, and weather or climate is not an issue. However, the 28-year-old was quick to negate that the team would be eying the net run rate straightaway against the Lankans. 

“You have to win the match first, that's the priority for us. I think as batters we have to be smart. We can't just go out there thinking that oh we are going to take on this bowling lineup. I think we have to keep that net run rate in mind. But first is, of course, winning the match,” she said. 

Asked about whether the non-Asian teams have been better than the Asian ones, Mandhana said, “I don't think that Asian teams are not able to adjust to the conditions. I don't see any 170-odd scores on the board that the other teams are getting used to.

I think in these conditions, you have to understand your cricket very well and be very smart. I don't see any difference between Asian teams or the other teams.”

One of the most experienced Indian players in the squad, Mandhana, who is playing her sixth T20 World Cup, agreed that so far, the team had not been able to play the brand of credit that they wanted to. 

“I think the brand of cricket which we want to play, we could not do that even in the second match. I wouldn't say we played 100% of our cricket. I'm sure we are still better than what we have been playing,” said the Maharashtra-born.

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