Anjum how Mandhana must rise to the occasion and do well in the forthcoming matches to strengthen India\u2019s chances in the mega spectacle.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Speaking on JioHostar, Anjum said that the left-hander will enjoy batting against the Proteas women, given how she enjoys hitting through the line. The veteran also stated that the Indian vice-captain must understand the leadership responsibilities placed upon her and \u2018fine-tune\u2019 her mindset.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe fact that Smriti Mandhana likes the ball coming onto the bat and enjoys hitting through the line will certainly help her, especially against South Africa\u2019s pace attack. It\u2019s also about settling those butterflies, in your mind, heart, and stomach; and reminding yourself that it\u2019s just another game of cricket. Yes, it\u2019s a World Cup match but at the end of the day, it\u2019s still a \u2018see ball, hit ball\u2019 approach, which she\u2019s executed beautifully over the last year and a half.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cShe already has over 400 runs under her belt this season. Now, it\u2019s about understanding her role as vice-captain; she\u2019s expected to play match-winning knocks and deliver when the team needs her. It\u2019s just about fine-tuning her mindset and staying fully aware in the middle of how situations can unfold.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The former India captain also opined that a cricketer\u2019s stats are of no use if they\u2019re not set during World Cup games. She believes that Mandhana must understand the importance of playing a home World Cup and must make the most of the limited opportunities available.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAll those numbers we often discuss don\u2019t count unless they come in a World Cup. That\u2019s a record Smriti would want to correct quickly. Nobody is getting younger, and opportunities like a home World Cup don\u2019t come often. It\u2019s not that Smriti won\u2019t score another hundred; she will. She\u2019s already just one short of Meg Lanning\u2019s all-time record for most centuries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"But the key point is, when you\u2019re playing in a World Cup, especially at home, every single day becomes important. Not just in terms of India\u2019s results, but also from a personal performance standpoint.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAll those numbers we often discuss don\u2019t count unless they come in a World Cup. That\u2019s a record Smriti would want to correct quickly. Nobody is getting younger, and opportunities like a home World Cup don\u2019t come often. It\u2019s not that Smriti won\u2019t score another hundred; she will. She\u2019s already just one short of Meg Lanning\u2019s all-time record for most centuries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
After two wins in as many as games, India will look to maintain the winning momentum when they take on South Africa on Thursday at Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.<\/p>\r\n\r\n