"It's not easy to score back-to-back hundreds whichever format you talk about" - Reema Malhotra on Smriti Mandhana's performances in IND vs SA series
Reema Malhotra has lauded Smriti Mandhana for consistently playing substantial knocks, including back-to-back ODI centuries, in the ongoing multi-format series between India and South Africa. However, the former India all-rounder feels the left-handed opener can perform even better.
Mandhana scored 46 runs off 30 deliveries in India's 12-run defeat in the first T20I between the two sides in Chennai on Friday, July 5. She earlier amassed 343 runs in the three-match ODI series in Bengaluru and played a 149-run knock in the one-off Test against the same opponents at Chepauk.
During a discussion on Sports 18, Malhotra was asked whether she has ever seen Smriti Mandhana in better form.
"I have not seen her in better form than this but she can better this further. The way Smriti Mandhana is batting, she is no longer looking for twenties or thirties or just a good start but how to convert starts into big scores. It's not easy to score back-to-back hundreds whichever format you talk about," she responded.
The cricketer-turned-commentator noted that Mandhana has added new strokes to her repertoire and has greater clarity of thought.
"I feel she looks a better player after adding the sweep shot to her armory. She looks more compact. She wants to lead the batting unit from the front. She has the clarity of thought now. She knows she can take her time if Shafali (Verma) fires from the other end. Her strike rate is good, she is high on confidence, so you will definitely see the numbers getting even better," Malhotra elaborated.
Mandhana scored a 127-ball 117 in India's 143-run in the first ODI and followed it up with a 120-ball 136 in a narrow four-run victory in the second game. Although she missed a third consecutive hundred by 10 runs in the third match, her 343-run tally is the highest ever in a three-match women's ODI series.
"She already had calculated aggression in her mind" - Veda Krishnamurthy on Smriti Mandhana
![Smriti Mandhana mentioned that she restrained herself from going over the top during the ODI series. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/69782-17202464849363-1920.jpg?w=500)
Veda Krishnamurthy concurred with Reema Malhotra that calculated aggression has yielded Smriti Mandhana rich dividends.
"The ups and downs Smriti has had in her career, exactly as Reema said, clarity of thought is very important. When I had a chat with her before the start of the series, she had great clarity. She already had calculated aggression in her mind. She has an idea that if she plays more balls, runs will be scored automatically," she said.
The Gujarat Giants player added that the Indian vice-captain didn't get perturbed even when she was kept in check for a few overs.
"Initially, when runs didn't use to come in one or two overs, she used to feel that she had to play an aggressive shot and go over the top. However, the control she has shown. She knows her game. She knows she doesn't have to do too much and her strength will give her runs. As a batter, even if you have slight doubts, you are left behind," Krishnamurthy observed.
Reflecting on the ODI series, Krishnamurthy pointed out that Mandhana didn't play a single shot over mid-off and mid-on in the first match. She added that the 27-year-old upped her aggression in the second ODI before being most attacking in the third game.