Adelaide, February 22 (NationPress) Reflecting on the remarkable 2–1 T20I series triumph against Australia, Indian batter Smriti Mandhana stated that the Women in Blue aim to remain at the pinnacle of the game, regardless of their opponents or locations.

India clinched the three-match series with a 17-run victory in the final match at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday, marking their first bilateral series win on Australian soil in a decade.

After being invited to bat first, the visitors scored a formidable 176 for 6, highlighted by Mandhana’s stunning 82 off 55 balls and a solid 59 from Jemimah Rodrigues. The bowlers then held their composure, limiting Australia to 159 for 9, ensuring India's historic win.

Mandhana discussed the team’s aspirations for sustained excellence on the global stage, stating, "We are on the cusp of a transformation aimed at dominating world cricket. It doesn't matter who we defeat or where; our focus is on consistently winning and maintaining our top position," she shared in a video posted by the Indian cricket team on Instagram.

Having a strong track record in Adelaide, Mandhana expressed her fondness for the city: "I have always loved Adelaide, even before competing here. It’s peaceful and beautiful. I believe it’s the best city in Australia, much to the delight of some Aussies!"

She noted that following many 50-over matches last year, the team is now concentrating on T20Is to refine their skills in this shorter format. "Last year was all about ODIs. This year, we feel like a well-rounded ODI team but are still keen on enhancing our T20 performance. It's a format that requires continuous effort for improvement," she explained.

"Playing one-day cricket feels natural, but in T20Is, I must always stay ahead of the game. Starting the year with a win is encouraging, especially in a World Cup year where we will face challenges in England. Securing an overseas T20 series victory is a fantastic way to kick off the year, and I hope to keep the momentum strong," the vice-captain added.

Mandhana also praised the multi-format series concept, which encompasses T20Is, ODIs, and Tests. She believes this format boosts the significance of every match, making the game more engaging.

"I truly appreciate the multi-format series concept; it adds value to women’s cricket. Every match holds equal weight, and even if you’ve won the series, the final match is still crucial for points," she remarked.

With the T20I series victory behind them, the world champions India are set to face Australia in a three-match ODI series.

"Starting the multi-format series with a 2-1 lead heading into the ODIs gives us a confidence boost. However, we are focused on consistency and not dwelling on the past or previous opponents. It’s about moving forward, and our ambition is to dominate world cricket," Mandhana concluded.