[Watch] Smriti Mandhana trapped LBW by Sophie Molineux for 6 runs in IND vs AUS 2024 Women's T20 World Cup clashÂ
Team India opening batter Smriti Mandhana was dismissed for just six runs off 12 deliveries in the crucial 2024 Women's T20 World Cup Group A clash against Australia in Sharjah on Sunday, October 13. The left-handed batter was undone by her Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) teammate, Sophie Molineux, off the very first ball of her spell.
Smriti Mandhana struggled for the majority of her innings during the high-pressure run chase. Set a steep target of 152 by the defending champions, the Women in Blue had to go from the word go, but only Shafali Verma could get going from one end.
India raced to 25 off the first three overs, but Mandhana's contribution was meagre. She could not get going and was up against the left-arm spinner in the final over of the powerplay. Her concerning numbers against tweakers in the powerplay dipped even further as Molineux got a LBW decision with an arm ball.
Mandhana tried to flick the delivery to the leg side, but there was no footwork at all as the ball stayed a touch low to hit her back pad. The umpire remained unmoved after a raucous appeal by the Australians. Beth Mooney and Sophie Molineux easily convinced Tahlia McGrath to go for the review. The DRS showed three reds in what turned out to be a plumb call. Have a look at the dismissal right here:
India have plunged into further trouble in the run chase after Jemimah Rodrigues perished in the next over. The score read 48-3 after Megan Schutt struck right after the powerplay.
Smriti Mandhana has had an on-and-off campaign so far for Team India
The Indian vice-captain compiled a solid fifty in the recent win over Sri Lanka, but that has been the sole noteworthy score in her campaign so far. She departed for 12 and 7 runs in the matches against New Zealand and Pakistan, respectively, in the group stage.
Mandhana had a solid Asia Cup campaign, but struggled in The Hundred 2024 for the Southern Brave, and could not make an impact in the warm-up matches either.