As the Indian team gears up to face South Africa in their next fixture of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, Anjum Chopra shared her insights on vice-captain Smriti Mandhana’s hunger for big-match performances, captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s approach with the bat and the inspiring journey of Kranti Goud, highlighting the balance of experience and youthful energy within the Indian camp ahead of a crucial contest.
Anjum highlighted the need for Mandhana to carry forward her form from bilateral series into
multi-team tournaments like the World Cup. The former India cricketer reckoned that the ongoing tournament is even more crucial for each Indian, including Mandhana, as the opportunity to play a tournament of this magnitude in front of their home crowd is not a common occurrence.
“The fact that Smriti Mandhana likes the ball coming onto the bat and enjoys hitting through the line will certainly help her, especially against South Africa’s pace attack. It’s also about settling those butterflies, in your mind, heart, and stomach; and reminding yourself that it’s just another game of cricket. Yes, it’s a World Cup match but at the end of the day, it’s still a ‘see ball, hit ball’ approach, which she’s executed beautifully over the last year and a half. She already has over 400 runs under her belt this season.
"Now, it’s about understanding her role as vice-captain; she’s expected to play match-winning knocks and deliver when the team needs her. It’s just about fine-tuning her mindset and staying fully aware in the middle of how situations can unfold,” Anjum said on JioStar.
Mandhana, who was in sensational form in the series against England and Australia in the lead up the tournament, has not been able to leave a mark in the World Cup. She fell for just eight runs in the India’s campaign opener against Sri Lanka before being dismissed for 23 against arch-rivals Pakistan in the second encounter.
“All those numbers we often discuss don’t count unless they come in a World Cup. That’s a record Smriti would want to correct quickly. Nobody is getting younger, and opportunities like a home World Cup don’t come often. It’s not that Smriti won’t score another hundred; she will. She’s already just one short of Meg Lanning’s all-time record for most centuries.
"But the key point is, when you’re playing in a World Cup, especially at home, every single day becomes important. Not just in terms of India’s results, but also from a personal performance standpoint. With the kind of ability Smriti possesses, expectations are bound to follow. At the end of the day, it’s up to the batter holding the bat to calm herself down and remind herself. It’s just a one-ball game.”
Anjum also opened up on Harmanpreet Kaur’s approach with the bat, suggesting the Indian skipper to take her time before going for her shots instead of trying to dominate the opposition from the get-go, something that has led to her undoing often.
“Harmanpreet Kaur should give herself a little extra time at the crease. Every time she walks in, she seems to think like a 20 or 25-year-old, who can just go out there and hit the ball around the park. Yes, she can, but she doesn’t need to. The situation often doesn’t demand that kind of aggression. She just needs to spend a bit more time in the middle, even if it means batting through 10 overs without losing her wicket. Avoiding rash shots and keeping her focus intact will be key.
"It’s easier said than done because when you’re out in the middle, everything, the pressure, scoreboard, situation, can get to you. But that’s where the difference lies between a good player and a match-winner. For me, the day Harmanpreet Kaur crosses that 35 or 38 not out mark and finishes India’s innings, whether setting a total or chasing one, she’ll feel far more comfortable and at ease; both as captain and as a batter.”
Anjum further lauded Kranti Goud, highlighting her inspiring journey of reaching to the summit from the hinterlands of Madhya Pradesh.
“Kranti Goud herself has such an inspiring story. She’s the youngest among her siblings, and despite her father losing his job, the family continued to support her dream of playing cricket. Her brothers stood by her, helping her reach this level. She mentioned how a big LED screen was set up in her village, not just in the city in Madhya Pradesh where she currently lives, but also in her village, so that everyone could watch her play. That’s such a proud moment for her and for everyone back home.
"When you look at Kranti’s excitement and then at others in the dressing room who have played multiple World Cups with all their experience and wisdom, you can see how this mix is positively influencing the team’s environment," she concluded.
