AUS-W vs IND-W: Smriti Mandhana plays down the no-ball controversy

Australia and India played a nail-biting ODI in Mackay. The hosts won the game off the last ball with five wickets in hand to extend their winning streak to 26. But the last over was very eventful and at one stage, it even felt as India had won the match with Nicola Carey getting out on a full toss. But the umpires intervened even as the visitors celebrated a win and took the matter to the third umpire.

After looking at several replays, the full toss was deemed a waist-high no-ball much to the disappointment of the Indian team. Australia needed two runs off the last ball and the batters, Carey and Beth Mooney managed to run those to register a brilliant win for their team.

Team India was left ruing missed chances and fumbles in the field in the end. But there was also a feeling that the no-ball in the last over was controversial. However, Smriti Mandhana has played down any controversy around the decision. She also stated that as a team they are yet to watch the ball and then only would be able to comment anything on it.

“We have not really seen the ball yet as a team. We were out there on the field, so it is very hard to judge if it was a waist-high no-ball or not. It is too early for us to call, we have to see the ball and we will have a look at it. When these things go in your favour, you are really happy but would not add up to controversy. I have seriously not looked at the ball yet,” Smriti said during the post-match presentation.

Smriti happy to be back in form

Smriti Mandhana, meanwhile, returned to some much-needed form with the bat in this game. She scored 86 runs off 94 balls with 11 fours to carry India’s batting on the day. While she was happy to score runs for her team, Smriti felt she should’ve been in the middle and made it big.

“I thought about where I need to improve, the support staff and everyone were behind me. So happy to get some runs under my belt, especially in the first innings. Getting out on 86 did hurt. I would have felt better if I had continued,” India’s opener added.