Shafali also picked 3-20, while N Sree Charani took 4-19 as India secured their second straight win and moved to the top of Group A. \u201cI think we were really good with the bat. It wasn\u2019t that easy a wicket, but Smriti and Shafali gave us a great platform. She (Shafali) is always ready with the ball whenever the team needs it. She keeps giving us breakthroughs, and she can go on to be a great all-rounder,\u201d Harmanpreet said at the end of the game, where India posted 209\/5, their highest total in tournament history.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Quizzed on the fast bowlers' performance, Harmanpreet said, \u201cKranti is one who is always bowling for us, and Nandani has got very good experience from WPL, and she\u2019s using that here, and it's a good thing that she\u2019s giving us breakthroughs in the Powerplay.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Asked for an update on Shreyanka Patil, who was stretched off the field due to twisting her right ankle, Harmanpreet said, \u201cRight now, I don\u2019t have a clear update, but our medical team will give a clear update after assessing her. I think we are in a very good situation. We have achieved what we wanted to in these two games.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Smriti Mandhana, adjudged Player of the Match for her second consecutive half\u2011century, said she was pleased with her form but stressed preparation against unfamiliar opposition. \u201cI think it was a good batting wicket for sure. I mean, whenever we have come to Leeds, I\u2019ve played a few matches here in the Hundred, but it\u2019s always been a good batting wicket and a quick outfield. Again, I mean, the Netherlands did a really good job today.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWell, of course, it\u2019s like unknown territory for all of us. We\u2019ve not seen a lot of them. So we had to go through a lot of videos in terms of how they bowl and how we will be approaching the game. One thing we always pride ourselves on is that we don\u2019t take any team differently because it\u2019s their first time or anything. I just thought they put up a really good fight. They fielded really well, and for us it was just about focusing and doing the job for the team.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On the preparation for the tougher matches ahead, especially against South Africa and Australia, Smriti said, \u201cAgain, I wouldn\u2019t say I was middling the ball the way I would still like to. I\u2019m still a work in progress. But really happy with the way Shafali batted today. We had a good partnership, and it was good to have her back among the runs. Again, I mean, Sree Charani bowled extremely well. So for me, it\u2019s just about doing the right things, waking up every day, doing the right things, and then seeing how the match goes.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWell, of course, it\u2019s like unknown territory for all of us. We\u2019ve not seen a lot of them. So we had to go through a lot of videos in terms of how they bowl and how we will be approaching the game. One thing we always pride ourselves on is that we don\u2019t take any team differently because it\u2019s their first time or anything. I just thought they put up a really good fight. They fielded really well, and for us it was just about focusing and doing the job for the team.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Asked about her assessment of the Netherlands chase, Babette said, \u201cI think we never really got going. We lost too many wickets along the way. India bowled very well and very smartly. They played really good cricket, which we can learn a lot from. I think it\u2019s very special to play against India. To play a top team with our friends and family in the stands, it\u2019s something I\u2019ll always remember.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n