Women's T20 World Cup 2024: "All games are important to us" - Smriti Mandhana on India's Remaining Matches

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India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana stressed on the importance of the upcoming matches in the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 after the team bounced back from the tournament opening loss to New Zealand.

India started the show-piece tournament in UAE with a disappointing 58-run loss to the White Ferns on Friday (October 4). However, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side responded with a 6-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan in their next match on Sunday (October 6).

The top two teams from each group will head to the semi-final stage. While India registered a win in the tough group that includes New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia, their net run rate is still on the negative side with more tough challenges on the horizon.

India, who are currently fourth in the standings, still need to play the Asia Cup winners Sri Lanka and defending World Champions Australia in their remaining two group stage matches.

The Indian opener Smriti said there is very little room for errors as games against Sri Lanka and Australia or anybody in a tournament like the World Cup will be very important.

"As a player all games are important to us, when you come to the world cup you have to give 100 percent in each game, Sri Lanka is a good team in our group," Mandhana was quoted as saying in a Star Sports release in which she also spoke about the challenge of facing Australia.

"But With Australia you know that you can't make errors and minimize them, and you have to get the best game out on that particular day to get the better of them. So, yeah there is excitement to do that on that day because they are a really good team so to come up against them and beat them," Mandhana added.

India most recently lost to Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final, and the Women in Blue also don't possess a good track record against Australia in the shortest format. India has won just 8 times against the Aussie women in 34 previous meetings.

Harmanpreet's side will next face Sri Lanka on Wednesday (October 9) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai before they meet Australia in their final group stage match on Sunday (October 13) at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah.