“They have enough budget to do that” – Smriti Mandhana on sharing Player of the Match trophy with Harmanpreet Kaur

“They have enough budget to do that” – Smriti Mandhana on sharing Player of the Match trophy with Harmanpreet Kaur

India defeated West Indies in their 3rd match on March 12 in the ICC Women’s World Cup in Hamilton. Smriti Mandhana, after receiving the Player of the Match following her impressive 123 runs, shared the award with fellow teammate Harmanpreet Kaur who also scored 109 runs.

But according to Smriti Mandhana, her century would have mattered less had not Kaur scored her part’s century. During the post-match presentation, the 25-year-old Smriti Mandhana received the Player of the Match but she shared that award with Kaur because the latter too equally deserved it. It was rare to witness such things from players, that too in a tournament like the World Cups.

“Well I think, scoring a century and not being the player of the match is not something that anybody wants. I think we both contributed to the score to get it over 300 and it’s good to share the trophy, both deserve it. I think as a batter, we prefer both (setting up a target and chasing), toss is not going to go your way and you won’t get what you want.” said Smriti Mandhana.

Our strengths are really different, Kaur is very good with the spin and I like pace on the ball, we know that and when the spinner was coming on to bowl, I used to give the strike back to Harman and she did the same when there was a pacer coming on. I’m sure ICC will be giving another trophy and they have enough budget to do that (has a huge smile on her face).”

Also Read | Mithali Raj breaks record for most matches captained in ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup

The Smriti Mandhana-Harmanpreet Kaur partnership

Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana
Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana

Harmanpreet’s century made her the first Indian woman to score three centuries in ODI World Cups. It was Mandhana’s second century at an ODI World Cup as well as against West Indies.

India won the toss and opted to bat first. Opener Yastika Bhatia’s 31 runs off 21 balls helped India add some quick runs on the scoreboard. The other opener Mandhana’s crucial partnership with the experienced Harmanpreet Kaur helped India reach 125 for three at the 25 over. In the 43rd over the dangerous-looking Mandhana was sent back to the pavilion by Shamilia Connell after scoring her second successive century(129) against West Indies. Kaur reached her ton in the 47th over. The partnership between the two propelled the team to their best-ever score at any ODI World Cups with 317 runs for 8 wickets. This is the highest score so far in this year’s World Cup tournament.

Team India’s win against West Indies was a much-needed one after their disappointing defeat against the host team New Zealand in their second match. India will play their next match against England on March 16 at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

Also Read | “Why not Sir Jadeja?” – Aakash Chopra on Ravindra Jadeja missing out on a Grade A+ contract