"She would suddenly walk out to bat with an intent to get a century off 10 deliveries" - Former India coach on Smriti Mandhana's success in 2024
Former India head coach WV Raman has attributed Smriti Mandhana's successful run in 2024 to being more composed in the middle. He pointed out that the stylish opener used to adopt an overaggressive approach earlier for the team's sake.
Mandhana scored 77 runs off 47 deliveries in India's 60-run win in the series-deciding third T20I against the West Indies in Navi Mumbai on Thursday, December 19. She was declared the Player of the Series for scoring three consecutive half-centuries.
During a discussion on Sports18, Raman was asked whether an added repertoire of shots was the reason behind Mandhana's success this year.
"It's got to do a little bit with that but a lot with her retaining her composure because what used to happen with Smriti Mandhana was that she would suddenly walk out to bat with an intent to get a century off 10 deliveries. That's the kind of responsibility she wanted to take for the sake of the side," he responded.
The former India opener added that Mandhana used to throw away her wicket while trying to manufacture shots.
"At times, what that did was it made her try and manufacture shots too soon, and when it was definitely not on. That's the reason she would get out looking to play shots too soon," Raman observed.
The 77-run knock in Thursday's game took Mandhana's T20I run aggregate in 2024 to 763. It took her past Chamari Athapaththu (720) for the most runs in women's T20Is in a calendar year.
"I used to frequently tell her to try and bat about 20 balls" - WV Raman on Smriti Mandhana
![Smriti Mandhana is the second-highest run-scorer in women's T20Is. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/320ba-17346801822481-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same discussion, WV Raman disclosed that he used to urge Smriti Mandhana to take her time.
"I used to frequently tell her to try and bat about 20 balls because she is such a good player, it's very difficult to keep her quiet. If she bats 20 deliveries, she is not going to be 2 not out, she is definitely going to be around 30-35," he said.
The cricketer-turned-commentator added that the 28-year-old has probably realized she doesn't need to fabricate shots to score quickly.
"That's exactly what she has perhaps realized now after repeatedly getting out while trying to manufacture shots. That's exactly what you expect from an experienced player as well. It's so good to see her repeatedly try and stay out as long as possible and be there to get the runs for her team," Raman observed.
With 3761 runs at a strike rate of 123.27 in 142 innings, Mandhana is India's highest run-getter in women's T20Is. Only Suzie Bates (4584) has scored more runs than her internationally among women in the shortest format.