Smriti Mandhana’s captaincy was put to the test during the inaugural Women’s T20 Challenge in the United Arab Emirates last year. The Indian opener, who led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), struggled to handle the hype surrounding the tournament and the pressure that came with captaining a team comprising international heavyweights.
Speaking on the latest 100% Cricket Podcast, Mandhana’s RCB teammate Heather Knight shed light on the difficulties her captain faced during the tournament. Knight, who has played with Mandhana before, spoke about the immense pressure that came with leading a side featuring Ellyse Perry, Sophie Devine, Dane van Niekerk, and Megan Schutt.
RCB won just two of their eight matches, finishing fourth out of five teams. Mandhana, who was signed up for INR 3.4cr, the highest winning bid at the WPL auction, struggled with the bat as well, scoring 149 runs in eight games at an average of 18.62 and a strike-rate of 111.19.
Knight said that the hype surrounding the tournament, the pressure of captaining a team comprising several experienced players, and the lack of experience as a captain made it a tricky situation for Mandhana. She also pointed out that there were polls on television after two games asking if captaincy was affecting Mandhana’s batting.
Despite the challenges, Knight backed Mandhana to be better for the experience and praised her composure as a key strength. She also spoke about Mandhana’s relaxed and calm approach to captaincy and her ability to bring the group together, which is one of her strengths as the vice-captain of the Indian side.
Mandhana’s struggles as a captain highlight the challenges of leading a high-profile team in a tournament of this nature. It requires not just tactical acumen but also the ability to handle pressure and the spotlight. In a country like India, where cricket is a religion, the scrutiny and pressure can be immense, especially for someone like Mandhana, who is already a star player.
However, the experience of leading a team in such a tournament can also be incredibly valuable for a player’s growth. Mandhana will have learned a lot from her stint as captain and will be better prepared to handle the pressure next time around.
The Women’s T20 Challenge has not only provided a platform for female cricketers to showcase their skills but also played a pivotal role in promoting women’s cricket in India, which is a positive step towards gender equality in sports.The success of the Women’s T20 Challenge has paved the way for a full-fledged women’s IPL, which is a step in the right direction for the growth of women’s cricket in India.
In conclusion, Knight’s insights provide a valuable perspective on the challenges of captaincy in women’s cricket and the pressures faced by players in high-profile tournaments. Despite the difficulties, she believes that Mandhana’s experience will make her a better captain in the future. The ICC 100% Cricket Podcast is a great resource for cricket fans who want to hear from the experts and stay up to date with the latest developments in the game.
