Mandhana in red-hot form: AUS bowlers who can put a pause to her mayhem in WC semifinal

Who can stop Smriti Mandhana? [Source: @BCCIWomen, @cricketcomau/X.com]

The stage is set for a high-voltage clash as India will take on Australia in the 2025 Women's World Cup semi-final. All eyes will once again be on Smriti Mandhana, India's star opener, who has been in sensational form.

In 7 games so far in the tournament, Mandhana has hammered 365 runs with a 60.83 average, 102.53 strike rate with 1 hundred and 2 fifties. She is currently the leading run scorer, breaking one record at a time.

Interestingly, her record against Australia Women is equally phenomenal. In 20 ODIs, she has amassed 996 runs with a 49.80 average, 108.02 strike rate, 4 hundreds and 6 fifties.

Not only that, but Mandhana's last 5 ODI scores vs Australia are 80, 125, 117, 58 and 105. But if there are two Australian bowlers who can truly test Smriti Mandhana's class under pressure, they are Megan Schutt and Ashleigh Gardner. 

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Smriti Mandhana vs Megan Schutt in ODIs

(Table: Smriti Mandhana's ODI stats vs Megan Schutt)

When it comes to the new ball, Megan Schutt is Australia's biggest weapon. Her ability to move the ball both ways has often forced batters to rethink their natural game. 

Against left-handers like Smriti Mandhana, Schutt angles the ball across beautifully before surprising them with the one that comes in sharply.

History tells us that Schutt has dismissed Mandhana 4 times in ODIs, conceding just 167 runs off 139 balls, a solid record considering Mandhana's attacking nature. Her economy rate of 4.99 and control in the powerplay make her a constant threat.

What makes Schutt even more dangerous is that she strikes early. She loves setting traps like a deep point placed for the cut shot or a fuller delivery that tempts the drive, and suddenly a subtle outswinger that kisses the edge. 

Mandhana, who thrives through the offside, will have to be cautious during the first few overs when Megan Schutt is at her most lethal.

Smriti Mandhana vs Ashleigh Gardner in ODIs

(Table: Smriti Mandhana's ODI stats vs Ashleigh Gardner)

If Schutt is the storm at the start, Ashleigh Gardner is the calm disruptor in the middle overs. With her sharp off-breaks and clever flight, Gardner often breaks partnerships when batters least expect it.

Smriti Mandhana has scored 164 runs off 147 balls against Gardner in ODIs, which are not bad numbers, but Ashleigh has managed to dismiss her 5 times. 

That means once every 33 balls, Gardner finds a way to send Mandhana back, often with a delivery that drifts in and then sharply turns away.

What gives Ashleigh Gardner the edge is her ability to read Mandhana's intent. When Smriti Mandhana tries to use her feet or sweep, Gardner shortens her length. 

When she stays back, the bowler tosses it up. It's a cat-and-mouse game the two have played many times, and this semi-final could see another fascinating duel between India's most fluent batter and Australia's cleverest spinner.

The bigger picture: Can Australia minimize Mandhana damage?

Stopping Smriti Mandhana is easier said than done. She has been India’s heartbeat in this World Cup, scoring runs at crucial stages and leading the charge at the top. 

Her confidence is sky-high, and her shot selection has looked more balanced than ever. However, the key for Australia will be early breakthroughs. If Schutt can get Mandhana in the powerplay or Gardner can outfox her during the middle overs, the match could tilt quickly in Australia's favour.

But if Smriti Mandhana survives those two threats, she could very well script another iconic innings, the kind that silences critics, lights up the crowd, and pushes India one step closer to glory.

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