Mandhana says absence of senior stars an opportunity for new faces to shine against Ireland

Stand-in skipper Smriti Mandhana believes that India's decision to rest full-time captain Harmanpreet Kaur and seasoned pacer Renuka Singh offers an opportunity for new players to take centre-stage in the upcoming series against Ireland.

Speaking to the reporters on the eve of their first ODI against Ireland in Rajkot, Mandhana said, “Tomorrow, whoever gets that opportunity, takes it. [So that] We have more match winners for India.

"It is an opportunity for two of the other young girls. I wouldn't reveal a lot about [playing] eleven. But, whoever will get the opportunity, I am sure they will try and grab it with both their hands. Playing for your country is always a moment of pride. I am sure that all the girls take pride in it.”

ICC Women's Championship Standings

With India currently placed third in the ICC Women's Championship points table, having already qualified for the World Cup later this year as the host nation, Mandhana highlighted the advantages of the championship cycle format. Emphasizing on the opportunities at hand to face a variety of opponents, she also shared her excitement about playing against Ireland Women, who are touring India for the first time.

“Yeah, I think the ICC Championship system gives us a chance to play all the teams in the three-year cycle. Ireland, we haven't played a lot of cricket against them. They have played some exciting cricket in the last one or two years.

“So, yeah, I think sometimes playing against a new opposition is always very exciting. I am sure that we won't look at them in any other way. As I said, for us, it is about going out and giving our 100 percent. But, yeah, we are really excited that we are playing against Ireland. I think it is their first tour to India.”

With an upcoming home Cricket World Cup and significant pressure on the team following a disappointing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup outing last year, Mandhana also opened up on the team composition and opening batter Shafali Verma, who has been scoring runs in domestic cricket after being dropped from the national squad.

“Shafali has got a lot of runs in domestic, so she is definitely in the scheme of things. I am really happy that she went back and got those runs. As a team, we do not have to think what is not there, because we want to go out there and have the positive mindset that we have a really balanced squad.

“The girls who have come in as well are really, really good. As I said, we will not think about what is not there or what is happening. I think the only thing is that we have to go out there and play good cricket tomorrow.”

India and Ireland will square off in a three-ODI series, scheduled to take place on January 10, January 12, and January 15 in Rajkot.