India women vs England: Back-to-back games are tough on the body, says Smriti Mandhana

Smriti Mandhana admitted it was tough to play T20I matches on consecutive days, as the Indian team did against England on Saturday and Sunday, but termed the win in the third T20I as a morale booster for the one-off Test. India, riding on Mandhana’s run-a-ball 48 runs, beat England by five wickets to bag a consolation win in the three match series. The two teams will now lock horns in a one-off Test from 14 December at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai. “The first two matches didn’t go the way we wanted. We knew that this win would be important going into the Test despite losing the series. Yes, back-to-back games are a little tough on the body,” said Mandhana in the post-match presentation. Mandhana believed she did not get the right start but was pleased to see the team get a win under their belt. “Didn’t bat the way I wanted at the start but got going towards the end. I am really happy to contribute to the win. Amanjot (Kaur) played really well and got us over the line,” she added. “It was the same wicket as the last game, and the target was not very difficult. But we had to apply ourselves,” she said on the 127 run target. Batting first, England had scored 126 runs despite being reduced to 76/8 at one stage. Heather Knight and Charlie Dean then stitched a team record 50 runs for the ninth wicket before collapsing on back-to-back balls. Saika Ishaque (3/22), Shreyanka Patil (3/19), Renuka Singh (2/23) and Amonjot Kaur (2/25) were in the wickets for India. In reply, Mandhana scored 48 runs at the top of the order with Jemimah Rodrigues (29) also among the runs. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur said the team has grown and improved despite the series loss. “We have improved as a team, we always needed game time and our team showed today that we’ll keep improving with every game.” “It was important to hang in there and do what was required for the team. Some balls were turning and some were going straight off the spinners so there’s always a doubt in your mind as a batter,” said Harmanpreet. Shreyanka’s three wickets at the end hastened England’s downfall and earned her the Player of the Match honour. “I am very happy. This is the first time I am getting a 3-fer. My family and coach were watching. The experience I got in the WPL and India-A helped.” “It was a huge experience for me to be bowling in tandem with Deepthi (Sharma). She’s been backing me, and she’s been having chats with me both on the field and off it,” said Patil. England skipper Heather Knight was delighted at the series win, and rated it as a learning experience for the younger players. “Hopefully, a good experience for some of our youngsters on how to keep their composure under pressure.” “Shreyanka bowled really well. We didn’t quite apply ourselves. Think we also didn’t bat as well as we liked,” said Knight. Nat Sciver-Brunt was adjudged the Player of the Series for 93 runs and two wickets across three T20Is.