Over dependency on Smriti Mandhana might hurt India in Women’s T20 World Cup

The India Women’s team is blessed to have found an ace batter like Smriti Mandhana. She is one of the best batters in women’s T20Is at present and statistics back this fact up as well.

Since the end of the last T20 World Cup, Mandhana has amassed a total of 621 runs in 19 innings at an excellent average of 34.50. That’s the highest tally of runs by any opening batter in Women’s T20Is during this period.

Not only has she the most runs but she has the joint most number of 50+ scores in this format during this period as well. Moreover, her runs have come at a steady strike-rate of 128.57 as well and that sums up her overall impact as an opener.

While her prowess gives India solidity and assurance at the top of the order, their over-dependency on her is quite worrying as well. Mandhana’s tally of 621 runs constitute approximately around 30 percent of the total runs scored by India’s top seven during this period.

That’s quite a significant percentage to have for an individual and thus sums up the lack of contributions from the rest of the batters. The more worrying fact is that four of Mandhana’s six fifties during this timeframe have come in losing causes.

Only two of her fifties have resulted in victories for India. Interestingly, she averages over 40 in the 10 matches India have lost during this period which again sums up how the other batters struggle to score even if Mandhana gives them a solid start.

So, it is pretty clear how bad India Women’s batting numbers would have looked if they wouldn’t have had someone like Mandhana playing for them. But they should be thankful that they have her and all she requires is a little support from her teammates to back her efforts up. The Women’s T20 World Cup is only a few days away and India will need all their batters to step up.

Written by: Prasenjit Dey