Big Bash and Super League will help in World Cup: Smriti Mandhana

With the next T20 World Cup to be played on Australian soil, Indian opening batter Smriti Mandhana on Friday stated that her experience in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) and Super League will keep her well-positioned.

Mandhana, named as BCCI best international cricketer in June, told Cricket Australia that dealing with expectation helps in big tournaments. "As a player, you need to come out of comfort zone . when you come out and play in the WBBL or the KSL (England Super League) there are different expectations of you as a foreign player. And dealing with those expectations helps when you play in big tournaments like a World Cup."

"I had that in my mind but as a player, you need to come out of your comfort zone. All my coaches said you need to go if you want to develop as a player you need to leave your comfort zone," she added.

The T20 vice-captain could not make an impact in the recent World T20 as she passed the 50-run mark just once. However, Mandhana has been in an excellent form throughout the year.

She had scored three half-centuries in India's Tri-Series against Australia and England and carried that form in Super League, where she hit her maiden T20 ton and struck an 18-ball half-century while playing for Western Storm.

Mandhana, who is playing her second Big Bash season, faced a second-ball duck in her first match, while powered 69 runs off 41 deliveries in her second match for Hobart Hurricanes.