Smriti Mandhana brushes aside NRR concerns ahead of Sri Lanka clash
Despite a win against Pakistan in their previous game, India lag behind in net run rate after a heavy loss to New Zealand in the first game.
A dramatic ending is in the offing in Group A of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 with four of the five teams on two points apiece.
India, who slumped to a big loss to the White Ferns in their first game of the tournament, got onto the points table with a win over Pakistan in the previous game.
But the team took 18.5 overs to chase down 106, thus not significantly reducing the deficit in net run rate they copped after the first game.
ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 Standings
As they prepare for a clash against Sri Lanka and then Australia, senior batter Smriti Mandhana brushed aside concerns around the net run rate scenario that could crop up in this Group of Death.
Match Preview: India take on Sri Lanka in Group A | Women's T20 World Cup 2024
India v Sri Lanka | Whatever It Takes Preview | WT20WC 2024
"It [NRR] was playing in our minds last match against Pakistan," Mandhana said ahead of the clash against Sri Lanka in a press conference. "But the conditions are very different here in UAE and scoring quickly isn't quite easy."
"The first priority is to win the match and it's a balance between what is best for the team and what we can do in terms of NRR. I started off fine last game but I consumed dot balls later on, which was irritating for me.
"We can't go out there thinking we are going to attack any opposition and cruise, conditions and outfield are difficult. The first priority is winning than thinking of NRR in these situations. The group is definitely tricky, but it's just the start, we don't want to think too much ahead. One day at a time."
India suffered a major blow last game with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur injuring her neck towards the final stages of the run-chase, but Mandhana said that the captain is fit to play on Wednesday.
There are other injury concerns, though, with Pooja Vastrakar, who missed the match against Pakistan, still under the supervision of the medical team.
A call on Vastrakar will be taken on the morning of the Sri Lanka match according to Mandhana.
Arundhati Reddy starred with a brilliant spell in India's win over Pakistan | Women's T20 World Cup 2024
India's shaky start to the tournament was also reflected in them swiftly swapping the key No.3 role in the batting line-up in the two games.
Kaur batted at No.3 in the opening game against New Zealand, but it was Jemimah Rodrigues stepping in at the fall of the wicket in the previous match. Mandhana insisted that the change was owing to the difference in conditions.
"The wicket conditions and ground conditions changed from what we expected," Mandhana said.
"It [No.3 role] depends on the match situation, who we are playing, where we are playing. I wouldn't say it was all planned. It would depend on what we are chasing also, we will keep that in consideration to decide batting order."
