Smriti’s evolving game offers blueprint for youngsters: Ex-captain Anjum Chopra

India batting stalwart Smriti Mandhana’s evolved power game and her dominance against spinners offer a blueprint for younger players as women’s T20 cricket continues to change rapidly, feels former captain Anjum Chopra.

The left-handed batter topped the all-time run charts across formats in the recently concluded Asia Cup, reaching the milestone during her century against Hong Kong and moving past the legendary Mithali Raj.

“What has become so nice to see is that in the last two years, two and a half years, how she has worked on her power game. How she is able to clear the boundary with such ease and confidence. That is such a heartening sign to see,” Chopra told PTI in a conversation.

“Earlier, we were having a chat as to how the players need to improve. I think you don’t need to go too very far, especially for a player who is there in the middle order or a younger player coming in. “You look at how Smriti was playing T20 cricket two years earlier or 50-over cricket two years earlier and how she is playing T20 cricket now. I mean, extreme domination, especially against a spinner,” Chopra added.

Chopra is also impressed with the evolution of young Indian spinner Shree Charani, saying her consistency has made her one of India’s match-winners alongside Deepti Sharma and Mandhana.

“Very impressed with Shree Charani, obviously, from where she started in early 2025. Since the day that she has come in, she has only become better and better. And that’s where we talk about consistency. “I think you look at Shree Charani and how consistent she has been. In England, where she started, when she played her first T20I series, she got 10 wickets and was player of the series. She went back to England and she played the World Cup, she got 14 wickets there,” she said. “I won’t say stand next to her (Deepti), but at least follow Deepti. Because of just the sheer experience that Deepti has. But I think she is very good and delivered for India very nicely.”

Chopra also feels the game is evolving rapidly and the ODI world champions will need to adapt quickly to the changing demands of T20 cricket if they are to remain among the world’s best.

“The template of the women’s game is slowly and steadily adapting to how the men’s game has been played. And obviously, it’s got to do with the power coming into the game.