"They have enough budget to do that" - Smriti Mandhana on sharing Player of the Match trophy with Harmanpreet Kaur
Smriti Mandhana made a heartwarming gesture on Sunday. She shared her Player of the Match award with Harmanpreet Kaur after India Women thrashed West Indies by 155 runs in Hamilton.
After a humiliating defeat against hosts New Zealand on Thursday, the Women in Blues needed a strong comeback to lift their morale. Mandhana and Kaur, two senior players, took the onus on themselves, scoring centuries to propel India to 317.
The West Indies succumbed to scoreboard pressure despite a breathtaking start from captain Deandra Dottin and Hayley Matthews. They eventually managed 162 as India secured their second win of the tournament.
Wow, jersey no 18 and 7 in menβs cricket ne bahut paseene chudaaye thhey bowlers ke , aur aaj @ImHarmanpreet and @mandhana_smriti ne kammaal kar diya. Brilliant win @BCCIWomen #INDvWI https://t.co/2lCxkXNWDj
Smriti Mandhana was awarded the Player of the match, but she decided to share it with the other centurion Harmanpreet Kaur. Explaining why she did so, the opener said:
"I think scoring a century and not being a Player of the Match is something I really wouldn't want as a player. I think we both contributed equally for us to score 300. So, I think it's good for us to share the trophy, and I think both are good contenders to get it. I'm sure ICC will be giving another trophy, and I'm sure they have enough budget to do that."
Mandhana (123) and Harmanpreet (109) added a record 184 runs for the fourth wicket after India were reduced to 78/3 after 13.5 overs.
Speaking about the monumental partnership, the player from Sangli said that both of them complement each other well and play to each other's strengths.
"As batters, we both prefer chasing and setting the target both together. Last game we didn't get going. and in chasing it's very important to get the momentum. Our strengths are really different because she is really good with spin, and I like pace on the ball. So when the spinner comes on, I give her the strike and when the pacer comes on she gives me the strike," Mandhana added.
With the victory, India leapfrogged to the top of the points table with four points after three games and now have a net run-rate of +1.333.
"I would love to give it to her because she scored more than me" - Harmanpreet Kaur on Smriti Mandhana
India's vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur believes the 25-year-old Smriti Mandhana deserved the award more than her, as she scored more runs:
bit.ly/WIvIND-ICCWWC
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@mandhana_smriti shares her Player of the Match award with fellow centurion & #TeamIndia vice-captain @ImHarmanpreet ! π π #CWC22 | #WIvIND
Scorecard βΆοΈ bit.ly/WIvIND-ICCWWC https://t.co/8REiQMSLke
"We knew once we are settled, we can get the boundary and we were able to do that. Left-right combination is always a great thing; I would love to give it to her because she scored more than me and she deserves that," the all-rounder from Punjab said.
India play their next game against England on March 16 (Wednesday) at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.