Mandhana says India must work hard in T20Is ahead of Champions Trophy

Newly appointed captain Smriti Mandhana said India needs to work hard in the T20 format despite winning the ODI World Cup. Mandhana takes charge for the first time as full-time captain when India hosts Zimbabwe in a three-match T20I series starting on Friday in Raipur. The six-team Women's Champions Trophy begins on February 14 next year at Mumbai's Brabourne Stadium and Vadodara's BCA Stadium.

Mandhana said the bilateral series against Zimbabwe offers a chance to set standards over the next three months. She noted that the team has exciting new players including Anushka Sharma, Niki Prasad and G Kamalini. Mandhana added that the side still has areas to improve in the shortest format ahead of the Champions Trophy.

The 30-year-old has already led India in 18 T20Is and four ODIs as vice-captain. She succeeded Harmanpreet Kaur, who stepped down from the role across all formats after leading India to the 2025 World Cup title.