Women's World Cup 2025: "Smriti Mandhana's form at the marquee event not a major concern" - Veteran India wicketkeeper ahead of South Africa match

Smriti Mandhana was expected to be India's linchpin in the batting department in the Women's World Cup 2025, especially after the kind of performances she put on against Australia in the lead-up to the marquee event. However, in India's first two matches in the eight-team competition, the southpaw managed scores of 8 and 23 against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, respectively. On both occasions, she was dismissed by pacers.

However, despite Smriti's indifferent start to the campaign, India won both matches. Experienced Indian wicketkeeper Sushma Verma feels that Smriti's lack of runs isn't a huge area of concern for the Women in Blue. Verma opined that seasoned campaigners like Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur can make a significant impact.

“That’s a very important point. If we want to win the World Cup, then if — just imagine — Smriti fails, who are the other players capable of scoring big like her, right? Yes, that’s a bit of a concern for the team — but I wouldn’t call it a major concern, because everyone is in good shape, and I think everyone is capable," Sushma Verma, JioStar expert for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, said while responding to India Today's query during a Media Day.

“If you look at Jemimah, she can also play that kind of innings — she’s got the ability to do so. Harman is also capable, right? So it’s just that if Smriti doesn’t score runs — if the runs aren’t coming off her bat, she hasn’t quite performed to the level or the benchmark she’s set for herself, or what we’re used to seeing from her, then it’s not a big worry. These things happen — in big tournaments, there are always ups and downs."

I think it’s a bit of a blessing in disguise for the others: Sushma Verma

Verma, who hasn't played for India since 2021, feels that if Smriti gets out cheaply, it serves as a blessing in disguise, giving the other batters in the team a chance to step up.

“The important thing is that in those moments, it becomes an opportunity for the others to step up and score big. Because it’s quite rare otherwise — generally, the top order always dominates the run charts. The openers naturally get to face more balls, while the middle order gets fewer opportunities. So in that sense, I think it’s a bit of a blessing in disguise for the others — they need to step up on those occasions," Verma added.

India will return to action on Thursday, October 9, as they face Laura Wolvaardt-led South Africa at the Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.