It was a much needed game time for all the other batsmen: Smriti Mandhana

Indian captain Smriti Mandhana was happy to see the middle-order batsmen score some much-needed runs against Nepal on Tuesday ahead of the semi-finals of the Women’s Asia Cup.

With regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur skipping the match and India topping the group, Mandhana decided to change the batting order to give time to the other middle-order batsmen during their final group match against diminutive Nepal.

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Mandhana, a regular opener, was not at the top of the batting order as Shafali Verma (81) and Dayalan Hemalatha (47) opened the innings and smashed their way to 122 in 14 overs, laying the foundation.

S Sajana (10) and Jemmimah Rodrigues (28) then took them to a solid 178 for 3, which proved to be enough as Nepal managed 96 for nine in 20 overs and suffered a loss of 82 runs.

“As an opener you don’t get many games where you don’t bat. A lot of required playing time for all the other batters. The middle order hasn’t batted in the previous games,” Mandhana said during the post-match presentation.

“The conditions were different and it’s always good to get some game time under your belt. The middle order didn’t get any time in the South Africa series either, so it was good that they got some time in the middle.”

Mandhana said every tournament in the past few months has been a step in preparation for the World T20 to be held in Bangladesh later this year.

“Not only this tournament, but also the last five or six months. The preparations started after the WPL. There is still a lot to be refined and we have to keep improving. You can’t go into a World Cup unprepared,” she said.

India may face Bangladesh in the semi-finals, an opponent they recently defeated comprehensively in an away match, but Mandhana said the country will not let its guard down.

“You shouldn’t take any team (opponent in the semi-final) lightly. We have two days to rest and practice before we go out there and push ourselves.”

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Shafali Verma was adjudged player of the match for her stunning 48-ball knock of 81. She said she relied on her strength and execution.

“The consistency is improving but I could have finished the innings today,” said the opener, who hit 12 fours and a six during her match-winning innings.

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Shafali scored the fastest double century in a women’s Test against South Africa in Chennai last month and she said it gave her a lot of confidence.

“A double hundred is important for any batsman and I got a lot of confidence from that innings. I wasn’t in good form before that but the innings helped me get my confidence back.”

Nepalese captain Indu Barma said they want to come back stronger after learning a lot from their matches against India and Pakistan.

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“I am proud of my team, with the effort we have made, we have seen our weaknesses and we are coming back stronger.

“It was a great experience playing against India. I am happy with my team, after 10 overs the bowlers got a good momentum and restricted them to under 200. We have gained good experience in this tournament playing against India and Pakistan. We have made some good memories,” she said.

Shafali Verma was adjudged player of the match for her stunning 48-ball knock of 81. She said she relied on her strength and execution.

“The consistency is improving but I could have finished the innings today,” said the opener, who hit 12 fours and a six during her match-winning innings.

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Shafali scored the fastest double century in a women’s Test against South Africa in Chennai last month and she said it gave her a lot of confidence.

“A double hundred is important for any batsman and I got a lot of confidence from that innings. I wasn’t in good form before that but the innings helped me get my confidence back.”

Nepalese captain Indu Barma said they want to come back stronger after learning a lot from their matches against India and Pakistan.

“I am proud of my team, with the effort we have made, we have seen our weaknesses and we are coming back stronger.

“It was a great experience playing against India. I am happy with my team, after 10 overs the bowlers got a good momentum and restricted them to under 200. We have gained good experience in this tournament playing against India and Pakistan. We have made some good memories,” she said.