WV Raman asks me to bat for at least 30 overs in 50 over game, says Mandhana

India opener, Smriti Mandhana is often referred to as the Virat Kohli of the Indian Women's team. On Friday, she talked about the targets which have been set in front of her by the head coach WV Raman. She went on saying that Raman sets certain targets for her in both 50 and 20 over a game. 

She said, Raman asks her to bat for at least 30 overs in a 50 over game and the number comes down to 13 in a 20 overs game. "He (Raman) has been telling me to play 30 overs in ODIs as he knows that if I bat till 30 overs, I will continue to bat. And in 20 over games he has been telling me to bat for 13 overs," the 22-year-old Mandhana, a Red Bull athlete, told PTI.

She said WV Raman is working regressively with the full fortitude and gives her targets to bat on a certain number of balls, as the strike rate doesn’t concern her that much.

"He's giving me targets to bat a certain number of balls because strike rate and those kinds of things never concern me, the only problem is the patience aspect. He is helping with that and giving me targets to bat through these many balls and that many overs and that is being great," said the left-handed batswoman.

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Mandhana, asked specifically whether the team was too dependent on her, replied that the perception was not correct.

"No, I don't think so. We have got a lot of match-winners in our team. It is just that sometimes someone goes through a lean patch and you need to cover up for your teammate. And sometimes that would be the case, if I am not going, the middle order will look after me (help me).

"So you can't say that they (other batswomen) are too dependent, but I think the main responsibility as a batter is to win matches and dependence never comes (in the way)," she added.

During the T20 World Cup last year in West Indies, Mandhana was seen throwing her wicket away. On this, Mandhana believes that she has improved 10 percent. India team will be playing England in their next limited overs series. Mandhana said that the team is looking to grab six points.

"Somewhat, yes, maybe 10 percent I have improved on that. From 50 to 60s, I have gone to 70s. But I'm still leaving 20-30 runs when we are chasing. I think it will be good if I come back not out. Hopefully, I can do that against England in the (upcoming) ODI and the T20 series," she said.

"I'm really excited (for the England series) and we are playing the ICC Championships and we need six points to be up there. Hopefully, we will all stick together and win the ODI series (against England). I hope that I can win more matches for India," Mandhana concluded. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• WV Raman working on Mandhana's technique. 
• Mandhana feels she has improved thirty percent of her mistake.
• India Women team will be up against England in their next series.