Mandhana, who is India’s interim captain in the absence of Harmanpreet Kaur, was full of praise for Rawal after the match and cited her versatility as one of her biggest strengths.
“Yes, I am really happy with the way she is batting,” Mandhana said about Rawal. “I think (she) has a really calm head on her shoulders, knows what she’s doing, and can play both games, being able to accelerate as well as play the defensive role, which is a hitter. It plays an excellent role.
“It’s been great to see her rise from her first one-day game against the West Indies (last month) to now, she’s a good runner between the wickets and converts to two which always helps in one-day cricket, so it’s really great for her. I am happy and hope she continues to perform well because this is an important year for us (India will be hosting the ODI World Cup in August-September).”
India’s batsmen enjoyed a very productive series against Ireland, chasing 239 in less than 35 overs in the first ODI and hitting 370 in the second ODI before Wednesday’s record-breaking event. I did it. Mandhana felt that the Rajkot pitch was the kind that allowed the batsmen to hit their shots with maximum freedom, and he certainly succeeded in scoring India’s fastest ODI century, scoring 70 balls and making 135 off 80 balls.
“I would definitely like to take this wicket with me as a batsman (wherever I go), but as a skipper I’m not sure. It’s a difficult wicket to bowl to. But for me it was very clear than I wanted to go out and try the shots that were in my arc. Because it’s not every day that you get the opportunity to do that as an opening batsman, but on these wickets and outfields – you have to look for it.
“I didn’t have a clear plan. I just said that if it’s in my arc, I’ll carry on. Some days it works out, some days it doesn’t. I’m glad it came out today.”
India, who posted a record total, defended it valiantly with spinners Deepti Sharma, Tanuja Kanwar and Minnu Mani sharing six wickets and helping Ireland bundle out for 131. The 304-run win was India’s biggest win in ODIs.
Ireland bowled 50 overs in the first two ODIs, but Mandhana felt India’s bowlers were just as good in those two games as well. It’s just that the same pitch helped the spinners a bit more in the third ODI. It was used throughout the series and Ireland’s batsmen attempted more shots in pursuit of the steep target.
“I think it helped our spinners a lot because the wicket today was the same wicket that was used in the first two ODIs as well,” Mandhana said. “The first two days, there weren’t a lot of pitchers, but I came out today and tried to get some shots in, and sometimes when the hitters are shooting, I think that’s the best time to get a chance to get the ball out.
“In the first two one-day matches, I thought they were just trying to take a single or a double. Again… it’s a difficult wicket to bowl and try to get out. That’s not to say the bowlers didn’t do it. ) First or two. “I think they bowled brilliantly in the first and second ODIs as well, but today there was a little more room on the wicket and like I said, the batsmen’s shots helped.”
Despite all the damage done by the spinners, it was fast bowlers Titas Sadhu and Sayali Satghare who set the tone by taking two of the first three wickets to start Ireland’s slide.
“Yes, I think they both bowled really well. We got the first two early wickets, which is always good to take with the new ball and it laid the foundation for the spinners to come,” Mandhana said. “Saima (Thakor), Sayali and Titas, all three bowled really well in the three ODIs and I was really pleased with them as it was a pretty difficult wicket and outfield to bowl on.”
