"The way Smriti is batting, she is the cause of headache for all opposition" - Reema Malhotra on Smriti Mandhana heading into 2024 Women's Asia Cup

Reema Malhotra reckons Smriti Mandhana will be a potential headache for all opponents heading into the 2024 Women's Asia Cup. However, she acknowledged that the Indian opener will also be challenged by bowlers who won't give her much pace to work with.

India bundled South Africa out for 84 in the third T20I in Chennai on Tuesday, July 9. Mandhana, who has been in outstanding form, smashed an unbeaten 54 off 40 deliveries to help the Women in Blue register a comprehensive 10-wicket win and level the series.

Reviewing the game on Sports 18, Malhotra was asked whether Smriti Mandhana would be the player opposing teams would make the most plans against in the upcoming Asia Cup.

"You make plans to beat the best team and to perform well against the best player, and the way Smriti is batting, she is the cause of headache for all opposition. However, there will be a challenge for Smriti as well because the bowlers won't give that much pace there. The good thing for Smriti is that she is in good form and when you are in good form, you can tackle any challenge," she responded.

The former India all-rounder praised the left-handed opener for making the most of her sublime form.

"Everyone knows that form goes up and down in cricket. When a player comes in such form and knows it's their time, you should make the most of it because both you and your team will gain from that, and that's what Smriti Mandhana is doing here. A good start is always good in both bowling and batting, and that's why you are seeing the percentage of wins increasing," Malhotra elaborated.

Mandhana amassed 592 runs at an outstanding average of 118.40 in six innings in the multi-format series. She struck two centuries and a ninety in the three ODIs, played a 149-run knock in the one-off Test, and scored 46 runs in the first T20I apart from the unbeaten 54 in the final game.

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"She didn't get satisfied with just one hundred" - Veda Krishnamurthy lauds Smriti Mandhana

Smriti Mandhana averaged 100 or more in all three formats. [P/C: BCCI]

In the same discussion, Veda Krishnamurthy was asked what she liked most about Smriti Mandhana in the entire series.

"The way she started, it wasn't that easy in the first ODI. She took her time even to get off the mark. She used to score good 30s and 40s and then lose her wicket. However, here she had clarity and intent. She showed the patience. She didn't get satisfied with just one hundred," she responded.

The Gujarat Giants player noted that the Indian vice-captain looked to better her performance in every innings and expressed hope that she would retain her form until the Women's T20 World Cup later this year.

"Her next hundred came with better intent and she accessed the areas she hadn't done earlier. The 90 in the third innings was even quicker. So you can see a transition. As she grew in confidence, she tried to better her performance in every innings. You can see how important it is for India that her bat fires. She will be extremely important till the World Cup," Krishnamurthy said.

Mandhana was chosen as the ICC Women's Player of the Month for June for her terrific performances against South Africa. She would hope to continue in the same vein in the Women's Asia Cup to be played in Sri Lanka from July 19.