‘We are aiming for gold,’ says Smriti Mandhana ahead of the CWG 2022. The Indian team will begin their journey against Australia in the tournament’s opening match on July 29th.
Cricket returns to the Commonwealth Games for the first time in 24 years. With the CWG 2022 in Birmingham hosting the first-ever eight-team women’s T20 tournament on July 29. In a bold statement, India Women’s Vice-Captain Smriti Mandhana stated that the Indian team will be aiming for a gold medal at the illustrious sporting event.
In a first-of-its-kind competition, eight teams will compete for the gold medal in the women’s T20 tournament. Cricket last included in the multi-sport event in Kuala Lumpur in 1998. When 16 men’s teams competed for the top prize. South Africa won the gold medal after defeating Australia in the final.
England and Australia are the clear favorites for the 16-match tournament, which will be played entirely at Edgbaston. Smriti Mandhana, India’s batting sensation, has stated that they are not going to the tournament to make up the numbers. But rather to make the country proud by winning the top prize at the quadrennial event.
“All of the girls are very excited, and we all know how they feel. We have all watched the Commonwealth and Olympic Games… That when the Indian flag goes up and we hear the national anthem. I think everyone knows that feeling, and definitely, we are aiming for gold.” Mandhana in a video posted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
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We’ve made plans for Australia, Pakistan, and Barbados: Smriti Mandhana
The Indian team will begin their journey against Australia in the tournament’s opening match on July 29. Mandhana, who will be deputizing for all-rounder Harmanpreet Kaur, has stated that they are prepared for their opponents and have contingency plans in place. Notably, India is grouped with Australia, Pakistan, and Barbados, while New Zealand, Sri Lanka, England, and South Africa are in the other group.
“The groups were decided on a long time ago, so we have plans for Australia, Pakistan, and Barbados.” Hopefully, everything goes as planned. “I don’t think we’ll just aim for the podium because when that flag rises and the national anthem plays, that’s the best feeling,” Mandhana added.
