Women’s T20 Challenge: Supernovas’ Pooja Vastrakar reveals how she dismissed Smriti Mandhana

Women’s T20 Challenge: Supernovas bowler Pooja Vastrakar revealed on Monday that her strategy for bowling to Trailblazers skipper Smriti Mandhana during their Women’s T20 Challenge match at MCA Stadium in Pune was to play to her strengths.

Supernovas defeated Trailblazers by 49 runs in the first match of the Women’s T20 Challenge on Monday at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, thanks to clinical performances by batters and a four-wicket haul by Pooja Vastrakar.

“I had only one plan, to back my strengths. Otherwise, I had my second option if it did not work,” Vastrakar said during a post-match discussion with batters Harleen Deol and Priya Punia.

Harleen Deol said that her mindset was positive. “The wicket was good and ball was coming nicely and I was playing accordingly. I was looking at the field as to where I could get a boundary.”

“My body language was positive and I took it one ball at a time,” added batter Priya Punia.

Supernovas were bowled out for 163 in their 20 overs when they batted first in the contest. Deandra Dottin (32), Harleen Deol (35), and Harmanpreet Kaur (37) all contributed to their team’s success. The Trailblazers’ top bowler was Hayley Matthews (3/29).

The Trailblazers got off to a terrific start in their chase for 164 points, with Matthews (18) and Smriti Mandhana (34) scoring well. However, bowler Pooja Vastrakar’s (4/12) session wrecked the batting order. They reduced to 114/9 in their 20 overs after scoring 2/63 in 7.2 overs, losing by 49 runs.

Supernovas are now on top of the scoring table with two points, while Trailblazers are in the centre with none. Velocity is at the bottom of the standings and will face Supernovas on Tuesday.

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