Smriti Mandhana will lead India in the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe starting October 16. She said, "I am a captain only when I am on the field; my batting shouldn't change." The star batter got the role recently and plans to keep playing her natural, aggressive game for India.
Smriti Mandhana's first assignment as full-time captain will be India's three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, starting October 16.
Source : BCCI, X
Smriti Mandhana revealed that she learned about her appointment as India's full-time captain on the very day the official announcement was made. A review meeting had been held a day earlier, attended by Harmanpreet Kaur, Mandhana, head coach Amol Muzumdar and senior BCCI officials.
During the meeting, they discussed India's major tournaments over the next two to three years and outlined the team's future plans.
Smriti Mandhana's first assignment as full-time captain will be India's three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, starting October 16. Ahead of the series, the opening batter addressed a press conference and made it clear that taking on the leadership role would not change her natural approach to batting.
What Smriti Mandhana Said
Known for her aggressive stroke play at the top of the order, Mandhana was asked whether the added responsibility of captaincy could affect her batting style. She firmly stated that her approach would remain unchanged.
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"I am a captain only when I am on the field; my batting shouldn't change. Even in the past, whenever I went out to bat, I followed the advice my childhood coach gave me: 'Whenever you go out to bat, think of yourself as the captain - that way, you take responsibility upon yourself.' That mindset will never change. If the ball is in my zone, I will hit it, and I will continue to play in whatever manner the team requires."