India women's cricket team opener Smriti Mandhana termed her brilliant innings of 56-bl 87 against Ireland, which helped the team post a defendable 155\/6 in 20 overs, as the toughest innings she has ever played.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mandhana struck nine fours and three sixes during a knock in which she survived four dropped chances to help India reach a par score. Ireland's chase was cut short by rain and they were five runs short of the par score as per the DLS method.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mandhana said it was the pace at which the Ireland bowlers were bowling that made it her toughest innings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"One of the most toughest innings I would have played. Not the wicket but the pace they were bowling and with the wind, it got worse," said Mandhana after the match on Monday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Good to post some runs and go into the semis. The England match wasn't the way we wanted," she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Asked what conversations she was having with her opening partner Shafali Verma during their half-century opening stand, Mandhana said they were telling each other to get used to the pace of the bowling.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We were telling each other to try and maintain our shape. I was batting bad and she was not timing it well. But we were trying to discuss that and there was a lot of wind and we needed to get used to the pace they were bowling," said Mandhan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Asked what conversations she was having with her opening partner Shafali Verma during their half-century opening stand, Mandhana said they were telling each other to get used to the pace of the bowling.<\/p>\r\n\r\n