Star India batter Smriti Mandhana has admitted that switching back to the shortest format after an extended run in ODIs can be mentally challenging. Her remarks came after a sublime 80 off 48 balls in the fourth T20I against Sri Lanka on December 28 in Thiruvananthapuram.
‘Finding the T20 rhythm again,’ says Smriti Mandhana
After receiving the Player of the Match award, Mandhana revealed that adjusting to T20 cricket after six months of ODI action required a mental reset. She explained that she relied on familiar ODI-style planning to regain her touch.
“After playing a lot of ODI cricket, it was hard to get into T20 mode. Playing six months of ODIs and coming back to T20s was a bit hard mentally,” Mandhana said during the post-match presentation. “The plans were similar. I had some game plans against them, came early, and tried to work on those.”
The left-hander also praised opening partner Shafali Verma for her growing maturity at the crease, noting how well the duo complement each other at the top.
“To watch Shafali bat from the other end is always a treat. We complement each other really well, and I’m happy with how she has matured with her batting,” Mandhana added.
India went on to win the fourth T20I by 30 runs in a record-breaking encounter. The match also marked a personal milestone for Mandhana, who became just the fourth woman cricketer to cross 10,000 international runs, and only the second Indian after former captain Mithali Raj to achieve the feat.
Mandhana had struggled for rhythm earlier in the series, managing scores of 25, 14 and 1 in the first three matches. However, her return to form and another Player of the Match performance sets the stage for a strong finish in the fifth and final T20I, scheduled for December 30 in Thiruvananthapuram.
