New Delhi, Oct 17 (NationPress) Senior England batter Heather Knight recognized the formidable challenge posed by India’s vice-captain Smriti Mandhana as they approach their pivotal clash in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup. She admitted that keeping the left-handed dynamo quiet will be a significant hurdle for the visiting team.

After struggling with scores of 8, 23, and 23, Smriti regained her form, scoring an impressive 80 against Australia in Visakhapatnam, even though India lost by three wickets. The Indian side is banking on Smriti and captain Harmanpreet to shine when they face England in a high-stakes match at the Holkar Stadium in Indore this Sunday.

“She hasn’t changed much since I first played against her, which speaks volumes considering her current fame. She remains the same Smriti. Moreover, she is incredibly challenging to contain with the bat, making our task tough when we face India,” Heather stated.

“Harmanpreet and Smriti are quite different; they complement each other perfectly. Harman is passionate and competitive, and she plays the game with great spirit. I have a lot of respect for her leadership style and how she inspires others. It’s going to be a rigorous test against India, who are performing exceptionally well right now, and Harman will be pivotal for the team,” Heather remarked on JioStar.

Heather reminisced about her initial encounter with Smriti, noting her humility despite the accolades. “I remember facing Smriti in her debut ODI series. I thought, ‘Wow, this girl is destined for greatness.’ Since then, I’ve admired her evolution as a player and her composed demeanor,” she said.

“That composure is something I cherish as a cricketer, and I hold her in high regard. I’ve witnessed her growth as a leader too. I played alongside her for Western Storm in England, in Hobart, and later at RCB during a challenging first season in the WPL.”

“She faced difficulties that year, yet I gained immense respect for her resilience and how she bounced back stronger the following season. Smriti is a true superstar in India. Just being near her and witnessing her popularity is astonishing, yet she handles it all with grace,” Heather elaborated.

Earlier this year, India triumphed over England 2-1 in an away ODI series, and skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt believes Sunday’s match will be thrilling. “When facing Harmanpreet, if you devise a plan for her batting, she can easily enter a zone where nothing seems to matter, and everything finds the boundary,” she noted.

“We will need to strategize thoroughly against her, as when she’s in that zone, she’s nearly unstoppable. The matches between India and England are always fiercely competitive, and the captaincy matchup will be exciting too,” Sciver-Brunt added.

“Smriti, on the other hand, is a graceful batter, pleasing to watch, especially when you are not competing against her. Every team boasts exceptional batters, and I believe this tournament will showcase top-tier talent. We can anticipate thrilling matches that will captivate cricket lovers worldwide,” she concluded.