Spontaneous Smriti

THERE IS AN aura about Smriti Mandhana in world cricket. Her lazy elegance and extraordinary shot-making ability have forever been considered special. Smriti is blessed and there has never been a debate about it. And yet Smriti has fallen short when it comes to key tournaments and critical matches for India. She has not been able to take India over the line and failed to live up to the hype. The ongoing World Cup is yet another opportunity for Smriti to cement her place as the best in the world, and in doing so, take India to that coveted ICC trophy.

Watching Smriti bat is pure joy. To see her pierce the gaps on the offside with precision is testimony to her capability. Bowlers, more often than not, do not get Smriti out. She does. And that is where the issue is. Technically, she does not have a problem with the short ball or with anything anyone hurls at her. But it is her attempt at dominance that results in her undoing more often than not. For Smriti, it is about reining in her instincts. For herself, and for India. Not play the shots that have resulted in her downfall, and play those that are relatively risk-free in the powerplay.

The truth is if Smriti bats for 10 overs in a 20-over contest, India will win more often than not. She will score at an acceptable strike rate and will either set the match up or take control of the chase. Also, with her out there, the opposition is always under pressure. She is Smriti Mandhana after all, and no team can breathe easy with her out there in the middle for India.

Take the match against New Zealand as an example. The very first ball and Smriti was quickly into position. By doing so, she managed to place the ball perfectly for a welcome boundary. India were on the move and so was Smriti. With Shafali out cheap and with Harmanpreet not scoring consistently, she needed to be out there. Be a little less audacious. But then the arrogance that most greats have caused her undoing. Every great player will forever back her or himself to clear the boundary. That is always the norm. Smriti was no different as she danced down the track to hit Eden Carson over long off. Neither did she get the elevation nor the distance. The ball landed comfortably in the long off’s hands and the Indian chase had been derailed. May I say this is not the first time. And this is where Smriti needs to get better. Take a leaf out of Virat Kohli’s book in the T20 World Cup final in Barbados. With India having lost early wickets, Kohli just went about holding the innings together till the last few overs. He was striking at just a run a ball but knew that once he exploded, he could push the scoring rate up. That is what Smriti has to do if Shafali and Harmanpreet get out early. Hold it together and bat deep. She can turn it around any moment and against Australia, that is the best recipe India has to cause an upset.

Many have asked me in the last one week if India can beat Australia. Is it at all possible against the four-time world champions? The answer is an overwhelming yes. India has time and again come close and there is just no reason why Harman, Smriti, and the likes cannot beat the Aussies in conditions that are expected to suit India. Take the 2022 CWG, for example. In the group game, India had all but sealed the deal with a Renuka Thakur spell of brilliance. Australia, who know how to win, just did not give up and somehow managed to get over the line. In the final, it was a very similar story. For the large part of the match, it was India that held all the aces. But just when it mattered, Australia turned the tide. Finally, in the T20 World Cup in South Africa, it was yet again India that controlled the match for the longest before two overs sealed it for Australia by 5 runs. In South Africa, Harmanpreet played a solid hand of 52 off 34 balls but failed to get her team over the line.

In both these finals, however, Smriti had failed. She was out-bowled by Darcie Brown for six in Birmingham and was out for two in South Africa. This is where Smriti has to deliver. To score in games, which are kind of make or break is the hallmark of a great player and that is where she needs to tick the box. It is in these games that India will look to the best to deliver and Smriti will have to do so consistently over the next few years.

The question to ask is why has she failed in these critical games. Is it about pressure, for she clearly has the skill as has been proved time and again in the course of her career? Does she get overcharged and is she trying too hard to prove a point? Is it about trying to dominate and, in the process, losing control?

Whatever it is, Smriti needs to do better. Take hold of herself mentally and make a telling contribution. In both these games, had she made a stronger impact, India could well have won. That the team came close even without her making any serious contribution says a lot and that is what India should bank on as they play Australia in Dubai.

Smriti Mandhana is clearly on the cusp. Of greatness and immortality. The truth is she is already a legend of the game and can only get better. She is the next captain of India and has already won a WPL title for RCB. She is also women’s cricket’s biggest brand and the number of endorsements she now has is evidence of her stardom. All she now needs is that one big push. The home stretch, as they say in sport. She needs to win India a major ICC tournament and she would have achieved it all. India have come close time and again but failed to cross the line. We have always finished second-best. Smriti and Harman need to change that and transform the game forever.

As she steps out against Australia, two things need to be kept in mind. As a great of the modern game, she should look at the match as an opportunity. Use the pressure in a positive way and make an impact. Second, she must know that she is way too good to be kept quiet by any bowler in the world. With her repertoire of strokes, runs will always come and there is just no need for her to hurry things up. India will need her out there in the middle for as long as possible and that is what is essential for her to do. A long Smriti innings will mean India will have taken a major stride to beating Australia and keeping the Cup dream alive. Anything to the contrary and it could be a long way back for this team. As a leader, it is her moment. To lead by example and showcase her brilliance.

cricketDubaiNew ZealandSmriti MandhanaWomen’s T20 World Cup