We are going to see an even better version of Smriti Mandhana: Ellyse Perry backs RCB skipper | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Legendary Australian player Ellyse Perry backed under-fire Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Smriti Mandhana for not performing to her potential in the ongoing Women’s Premier League (WPL).
Perry said Mandhana, who was bought for Rs 3.4 crore in the inaugural WPL auction, just needs a chance to “find her feet” in the T20 league.
Perry, the six-time T20 World Cup winner, hoped the Indian would overcome this phase and come out with a “better version” of herself.
Mandhana, WPL’s most expensive buy, has been going through a lean patch and has scored 35, 23, 18 and 4 as RCB suffered four straight defeats in the tournament so far.

“Knowing Smriti and how proud and responsible she is for her own game, there’s probably no more pressure on her than what she is putting on herself,” Perry said after getting a 10-wicket hammering by UP Warriorz on Friday.
The Indian team vice-captain is leading a star-studded RCB side with the likes of Perry, Sophie Devine and Heather Knight playing under her.
“It’s a ginormous task to come into a brand new competition and play with a group of players that she has never played with before and try and make that all gel in a matter of a couple of days since she joined the group,” the 32-year-old said.
“I think she’s a great captain too. She just needs a chance to find her feet in the tournament and she will no doubt. But the bigger picture (is), it’s just going to mean we are going to see an even better version of Smriti after this.
“There’s so much that she has learned from this competition already, both as a captain and as a batter, to make her even better in the future. She’s only a youngster right.”
Smriti, on the other hand, has taken the blame for her team’s poor show.
“In the last four games, it’s been happening. We start well and then lose a cluster of wickets. I take the blame as well,” Smriti said.
“Need to get runs on the board for the bowlers to defend. Overs 7-15 we spoke about getting 7-8 per over. We’re trying to get a balanced team. Let’s see how it goes.”
Bottom-rung RCB will next face Delhi Capitals at the DY Patil Stadium on Monday.
(With inputs from PTI)