It is important to remain grounded and focus on the basics: Mandhana after India's win over Pakistan

Smriti Mandhana plays a shot through the off-side

After a comprehensive performance in their second game against Pakistan, India finally opened their account in the Commonwealth Games (CWG) in Birmingham. 

Thanks to Smriti Mandhana's clinical batting performance, India thumped Pakistan by eight wickets after restricting them to a meagre 99 in a rain-curtailed 18-over match.

India got off to a good start with a wicket in the second over for nought, a good partnership for the second wicket took them to 50, but India fought their way back hard with wickets at regular intervals. Chasing 100 for the win, Mandhana's 63* took India home with 38 balls to spare.

What Mandhana said after the win

"We looked at it as a very important match because we wanted that two points on the board. We know that we needed to win the Pakistan match as well as the Barbados match to qualify. Happy that we got the two points at the end.

"The way people make the match big, I think for us players it is important to remain grounded and focus on the basics and try and do what I can do, rather than thinking this is an India-Pakistan match. All that things, I don't think it helps.

"I think in last few years we have got considerable amount of support from our fans, wherever we play we have got a good support, definitely for India-Pakistan matches you know the numbers are even more."

India should look to continue their form

With a loss and a win in two matches, India currently stands at second position in the points table, just after Australia. Their last group stage match will occur against Barbados on 3rd August, which could be deemed a virtual quarterfinal.

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