Raipur: Newly appointed captain Smriti Mandhana said on Wednesday that India may have won the ODI World Cup recently, but the team still needs to work hard in the shortest format, with the inaugural edition of the Women's Champions Trophy set to be held early next year.
A new leadership chapter
Mandhana will lead India in her first assignment as full-time captain when the hosts take on Zimbabwe in a three-match T20I series starting in Raipur on Friday, followed by three ODIs in Vadodara. She took charge from Harmanpreet Kaur across formats earlier this month.
"We will look to set standards as an Indian team," Mandhana said, adding that India would look to make the most of the six T20Is ahead of the Women's Champions Trophy. India will host the six-team T20 tournament at Mumbai's Brabourne Stadium and the BCA Stadium in Vadodara from February 14 to 28.
The T20 gap to bridge
India failed to reach the semi-finals of the Women's T20 World Cup in both 2024 and 2026, a record Mandhana is keen to correct. The Zimbabwe series offers her side a chance to experiment and settle combinations before the Champions Trophy, where the hosts will be expected to contend for the title in front of home crowds.
Sources:
- IND W vs ZIM W 1st T20I: Skipper Smriti Mandhana wants ODI world champs India to lift their T20 game — Mid-day
A new leadership chapter
Mandhana will lead India in her first assignment as full-time captain when the hosts take on Zimbabwe in a three-match T20I series starting in Raipur on Friday, followed by three ODIs in Vadodara. She took charge from Harmanpreet Kaur across formats earlier this month.
"We will look to set standards as an Indian team," Mandhana said, adding that India would look to make the most of the six T20Is ahead of the Women's Champions Trophy. India will host the six-team T20 tournament at Mumbai's Brabourne Stadium and the BCA Stadium in Vadodara from February 14 to 28.
The T20 gap to bridge
India failed to reach the semi-finals of the Women's T20 World Cup in both 2024 and 2026, a record Mandhana is keen to correct. The Zimbabwe series offers her side a chance to experiment and settle combinations before the Champions Trophy, where the hosts will be expected to contend for the title in front of home crowds.
Sources:
- IND W vs ZIM W 1st T20I: Skipper Smriti Mandhana wants ODI world champs India to lift their T20 game — Mid-day
