NEWS
Follow UsThe Indian Women’s team have already taken an unassailable lead in the three-match ODI series 2-0, riding on the magnificence of Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, making the third ODI at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Bengaluru essentially a dead rubber.
However, going into the one-off Test in Chennai, there are a lot of areas the Indian eves would want to work on - which was reiterated by all-rounder Deepti Sharma, who clearly mentioned that the last ODI won’t just be of academic interest for the side.
“Yes, we have won the series but will not approach this match as one of academic interest. We look to learn from whatever opportunities we get, as we will be going into the one-off Test (in Chennai) later this week,” Deepti Sharma said in the pre-match press conference in Bengaluru on June 22 (Saturday).
For the longest time, Sharma has been India’s crisis lady - both with bat and ball - and that all-round show was once again in action in the first two ODIs. “I love to tackle pressure situations. My thought process is very clear. I always want to make the team win or place the team in a winning position, whether it is with my batting or bowling,” she added.
Smriti Mandhana became the first Indian batter to score two consecutive ODI centuries in Women’s ODIs, which has helped set up a massive platform for the side.
“The openers played as per the conditions. The ball was moving around a little bit in the initial overs, and they played within themselves. They adapted well. After 10-12 overs, we built some good partnerships. They used every scoring opportunity in that area and that’s a positive for us – the way we capitalised later on,” the all-rounder said.
India and South Africa will engage in the third and final ODI in Bengaluru on June 23, 2024 (Sunday).
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