Women's World Cup 2025: "She wouldn't want to repeat the same mistake" - Former India skipper on Smriti Mandhana ahead of AUS vs IND semi-final

Smriti Mandhana has been in surreal form in the Women's World Cup 2025, amassing 365 runs from seven innings at an average of 60.83 and a strike rate of 102.53. She scored an enterprising 66-ball 80 against Australia in the league stage in Visakhapatnam earlier this month. However, she got out to Sophie Molineux in the 25th over, trying to slog-sweep for a six. The southpaw holed out to Phoebe Litchfield in the deep. India were eventually bowled out for 330 in 48.5 overs and went on to lose the match by three wickets.

Had Mandhana stayed at the crease a little bit longer, India would have surely finished with a bigger score. Former India captain Anjum Chopra mentioned the Mumbai batter's stellar performance against the Women in Yellow in the ODI series that preceded the World Cup. She hopes that the Indian vice-captain would bring her A-game to the fore against Australia in the semi-final on Thursday, October 30. The cricketer-turned-commentator urged Mandhana not to throw her wicket away after getting a start like she did in the previous game against the Aussies.

"Yes, absolutely, and I think she will also be waiting to step up because the manner in which she played in those three ODIs prior to the World Cup, she will also be wanting to just unleash all the good work and the hard work that she has put in to get to that position," the former India batter responded on the Star Sports show 'Follow the Blues' after being asked about Mandhana's importance in the upcoming semi-final clash.

"That 80 that she scored against Australia before she threw her wicket away, rather than anyone else picking up her wicket, she wouldn't want to make a mistake like that again. Having said that, she also realizes that the hard work has to be done all over again," she added.

She has the match-winning ability: Reema Malhotra on Smriti Mandhana

Meanwhile, former India cricketer Reema Malhotra was asked on Follow the Blues about Mandhana showcasing her form during the unbeaten 34-run knock off 27 balls against Bangladesh, which was washed out on Sunday, October 26.

"It's a great sign if Smriti Mandhana is in this form. She has the class and Smriti would also be thinking how crucial her role is. She is the only player who bats from the start and can bat till the end. She has the match-winning ability. She has the skill to perform under pressure because the pressure gets doubled in knockout games or semi-finals," she replied.

"Smriti Mandhana doesn't disintegrate under pressure now, but she comes to the fore. She knows her team depends on her. She bats in the powerplay. So she only lays the foundation, whether batting first or chasing. I don't know whether Pratika will be there or not, but her role will get doubled if Pratika isn't there," Malhotra observed.