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Smriti Mandhana says India has new exciting talent; needs to work hard in T20Is

India’s women’s cricket team, now under the leadership of Smriti Mandhana, is preparing for a busy winter schedule that begins with a three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe starting this Friday. Mandhana, who took over as full-time captain from Harmanpreet Kaur, emphasized the team’s need to refine their performance in the shortest format ahead of the Women’s Champions Trophy, set to take place in Mumbai and Vadodara from February 14 to 28, 2027.

The tournament will feature six teams, marking the first edition of the event. Mandhana highlighted the potential for growth, noting that engagements with Associate nations like Zimbabwe can offer valuable lessons in approach and execution.

She also praised the emergence of new talent, including Anushka Sharma, Niki Prasad, and G. Kamalini, who have shown promise in recent performances, with Kamalini finishing third in batting at the Asian Games.

Despite the team’s recent ODI World Cup victory, Mandhana stressed the importance of sustained effort, calling the upcoming matches a critical stepping stone toward setting higher standards for the Champions Trophy.

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