Would not term Australia a big team: Smriti Mandhana not wary of Meg Lannning’s world champions ahead of CWG 2022
India Today
Commonwealth Games 2022: India and Australia are set to lock horns in the opening match of the tournament on July 29 at Edgbaston in Birmingham.
Left-handed batter Smriti Mandhana said that Australia aren’t a “big team” and Team India shouldn’t be worried about facing them in the upcoming Commonwealth Games. India and Australia are set to lock horns in the opening game on July 29 at Edgbaston in Birmingham.
The Women in Blue have beaten Australia in six out of 23 matches since their first meeting back in 2008. In England, Australia got the better of India in their only meeting back in 2011. Apart from Meg Lanning and Co, India will also cross swords with Pakistan and Barbados.
Mandhana stated that having played against the Aussies in a number of matches, India are aware of the tactics that their opponents might employ.
''We have played them (Australia) in the openers in quite a lot of tournaments. In a T20 tournament, any team can beat any team. I wouldn't term Australia as a big team and make them feel good about that. Definitely, in our heads, Australia, Pakistan, and Barbados matches are important. We will go as they come and will look to win all of them,'' Mandhana was quoted as saying.
Mandhana, who is set to open the batting for the Indian team in the tournament, also sounded excited about taking part in the Commonwealth Games.
"Really excited to be part of the commonwealth games. I think it is something very new for me and our team. We've never experienced going out and playing a tournament where other sports are also involved. So I'm definitely looking forward to it," Mandhana added.
"We haven't had an experience of playing in a commonwealth games, where we'll strive to get the gold medal because we've always imagined us lifting the trophy and trying to put us on a podium where we lift a trophy.
