I'm not fully comfortable with reverse sweeps yet, but I aim to be soon: Smriti Mandhana

Smriti Mandhana is enjoying a purple patch against the visiting South Africa side in the all-format tour. Scoring 343 runs in three ODIs and a remarkable 149 runs in her only innings of the one-off Test, Mandhana is head and shoulders above all. In a candid conversation on JioCinema's 'In The Nets,' she sat down with fellow cricketer Veda Krishnamurthy to discuss her impeccable batting technique and share insights into her game.

Mandhana emphasized two key fundamentals of her batting posture that provide the stable base crucial for her cover drives. "As a batter, a stable base is essential, whether you're right-handed or left-handed. For me, the distance between my feet should match my shoulder width, ensuring my head stays centered," she explained. "Additionally, I focus on keeping my hands close. As an opener facing the new ball, if my bat strays, my head falls. This principle applies to all shots, not just the cover drive."

When Veda praised Mandhana as an old-school batter who has mastered fundamental strokes, she asked if Smriti was working on expanding her repertoire. Mandhana's response was both insightful and honest. "Having more shots in your arsenal is beneficial, especially since a straight bat allows me to access all regions of the field. However, I have considered adding more shots. The sweep, reverse-sweep, and lap shots are still works in progress. I'm not fully comfortable with reverse sweeps yet, but I aim to be soon."

Mandhana also highlighted the continuous need for improvement in cricket. "No cricketer can claim to be 100% complete. There's always room for growth, and it's all about the right mindset. You can have numerous shots, but without the right mental approach, success remains elusive."

After a One-off Test, India women and South Africa women are set to lock horns in a three-match T20I series, starting July 5,