“The wicket condition and the ground condition are a lot different than what we thought when we came here,” India vice-captain Mandhana said on Tuesday. “It just depends on the match situation, who we are playing, how the wicket is playing, what score we are chasing. I think that is a big consideration too. I can’t say that everything is planned.”
Mandhana suggested that while things were not looking good for the UAE, the difference in batting averages between the afternoon game (against Pakistan) and the evening game (against New Zealand) was not that great, especially with dew not yet being a big factor.
“Except for the New Zealand game, I’ve never seen a team go over 140 in the entire tournament, whether it’s a day game or a night game, anywhere from 135 to 140. That says a lot about the conditions,” she said. The Australian match began on Tuesday with the score at 148. “I wouldn’t say the wicket or the conditions, especially the outfield, change much. Yes, the heat is a lot more.
“But yes, I think it was very hot the first two or three days when I came here, but I think it’s a bit better now. It feels more Indian now, so it’s not as bad as it is for us.” I thought it would be a lot hotter than when we played in the last game as well. Of course, I think about 10 to 15 points will change depending on the batting method. But yeah, that’s it.”
“The brand of cricket we wanted to play, I don’t think we were able to do that in the first match. I can’t say we played 100 per cent cricket in the second match either.”
Smriti Mandhana
In particular, India’s cautious pitching against Pakistan raised questions about whether they were considering a net-scoring scenario that would see the three teams in the group tied for first place on points. Mandhana said the points on the board are the most important.
“That’s our top priority,” she said. “I think it’s a balance between finding what’s best for the team. Of course, in the last game we started well but later on we got a little irritated because we spent a few dot balls. But yes, that’s the case, we have to be really smart as batsmen. I think we can’t just cruise in thinking we’re going to take on this bowling line-up, the conditions and the outfield are very different.
“Yes, I think you have to keep net run rate in mind, but first of course you have to win games and then you have to keep thinking about net run rate. Of course, the group is obviously very tricky, but this is just the beginning. Going forward. I think there’s a place where you don’t think too much about what’s going to happen and just take it one day at a time and just think about the game if (against Sri Lanka) – of course we’ll try to get it first, but I think winning comes first. It’s the same.”
Before the tournament, it was assumed that Asian teams would like the conditions in Dubai and Sharjah more than New Zealand, who beat India brilliantly in the tournament.
“I am sure the first match did not go as we had planned, but nevertheless we will not hesitate to take responsibility for not playing good cricket that day.” Mandhana said. “As batsmen, as a bowling department, I don’t think we can do it. Sometimes we have had one-off bad days where we want to come in and do everything but we can’t get over the line.
“But I don’t think it’s just Asian teams that can’t adapt to the situation. I don’t think other teams are hitting over 170 either.
“But yes, the brand of cricket we want to play, I don’t think we were able to do that in the first match. I can’t say that we played 100 per cent cricket in the second match as well. In these conditions, we understand the cricket well and , you have to be very smart and know what shots to take and what shots to take, the difference between Asian teams and other teams.”
Shashank Kishore is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo.
