When the lights hit the Raipur pitch on Friday, the crowd didn’t just cheer for a game – they cheered for a new chapter. Smriti Mandhana, now India’s T20I skipper, told reporters she’s on a mission to crank up the team’s power‑hitting to an average of 12 runs a over.
She didn’t mince words. “I have a job to do, I have to deliver,” said Mandhana on JioStar’s show, setting a tone of uncompromising professionalism. Her plan is to treat the squad like a well‑oiled machine, tightening training, fielding drills, and the mental game.
The left‑hander added that the presence of former captain Harmanpreet Kaur in the dressing room is a strategic advantage. “She’s the longest‑serving captain,” Mandhana said. “Her experience will inspire the newcomers and help them lock into the new brand of cricket we’re building.”
India’s slate is packed: three matches against Zimbabwe, followed by three against South Africa, before the Champions Trophy and the WPL. Mandhana sees this series as a laboratory to test squad roles, field placements and, most importantly, the power‑hitting target she’s set.
The stakes are high. A 12‑run average could give India the edge in tight finishes and set a benchmark for the upcoming Champions Trophy. The next test? A showdown with South Africa in the next leg of the tour, where the new culture will be put to the test on the field.