Smriti Mandhana on India-Pakistan Match: Fans’ Emotions Fuel Excitement

Indian women’s team vice-captain Smriti Mandhana shared her thoughts on the highly anticipated match against Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Mandhana emphasized that while every game holds importance for players, cricket fans particularly look forward to the match against their arch-rivals, Pakistan, as their emotions are deeply connected to it.

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is set to take place in the UAE from October 3. The tournament was relocated from Bangladesh due to political unrest. Players will face the added challenge of adapting to the local conditions and heat.

India, placed in Group A alongside Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, will play their first match against New Zealand on October 4. The much-awaited clash with Pakistan will occur on October 2, with the team led by Harmanpreet Kaur.

Smriti Mandhana: Every game is equally important for players:

During the final stages of preparation, Smriti Mandhana highlighted that every World Cup match is significant for the players, and the team is committed to giving 100% in every game. She acknowledged the strength of teams like New Zealand and Sri Lanka but warned that mistakes against Australia could prove costly.

Mandhana stated, “To beat these teams, you have to perform at your best. Facing Australia is particularly challenging because they are a strong team. To win the tournament, you need to deliver your best performance.”

Feelings for the country:

Commenting on the India-Pakistan match, Mandhana noted that players generally maintain a professional attitude with mutual respect for each other. However, the passionate emotions of cricket fans heighten the excitement and competitiveness of the tournament.

The Indian Women’s T20 World Cup began in 2009, but the team has yet to win the championship. India has reached the final only once, in 2020, where they faced defeat against Australia. Chasing a target of 185 runs at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, India was bowled out for 99.

In 2023, India made it to the semi-final but again suffered a narrow defeat, losing by five runs to Australia. The team will aim to address these shortcomings and push forward in the upcoming tournament.

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