Smriti Mandhana: Need to keep winning this way now against better opponents

The Indian vice captain also hailed Shafali’s game awareness and temperament in the tournament where she finished as the highest runscorer with 236 runs from five innings at a stunning average of 47.20.  | Photo Credit: BCCI Women/X

India openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma gave a frank summary of India’s victorious Women’s Asia Cup campaign after it triumphed over Sri Lanka by 72 runs to reclaim the trophy from its South Asian neighbours.

“We’ve taken ‘ badla’ (revenge) for that 2024 Women’s Asia Cup final,” Shafali began in a video posted by the BCCI on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

“2024 was quite a disappointing year. We posted 160 but we couldn’t defend it (against Sri Lanka in the Women’s Asia Cup final in Dambulla). It was good to get back to a similar position against the same opponent and actually get the job done. Especially seeing how T20 cricket has gone these three years. I don’t think we’ve done so well in tournament cricket so this feels good but we have to keep it going,” Smriti chimed in.

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) September 14, 2026

The Indian vice captain also hailed Shafali’s game awareness and temperament in the tournament where she finished as the highest runscorer with 236 runs from five innings at a stunning average of 47.20.

“Openers do attract a lot of heat and it’s best to answer those questions with the bat,” Shafali said

“It’s good that we did it in the final,” Smriti chuckled. “The wicket wasn’t as easy as you made it look. Really special two innings, semifinal and final. Really great to watch.”

Shafali pointed to the guidance her opening partner has given her over the years.

“You had told me a few years back that I should play through the gaps especially after the six overs. I learnt this quite late but I am glad I did at least.”

She also underlined how her approach to high-pressure clashes has changed over the years.

“Earlier, I used to hype up finals a lot and make a lot of it. Now I keep things simple and focus on the basics of watching the ball and reacting to it. Cricket always helps you grow. You learn slowly and get better. If you’re a good learner, you get better faster,” she added.

India will now head to the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya before the international calendar resumes in full force.

“Overall good tournament. We would like to keep continuing this especially against better opponents and better teams. Having said that, it was an amazing tournament to be a part of and good to win after the last debacle.”