London, August 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Legendary Australia all-rounder Ellyse Perry has praised India captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, highlighting Mandhana’s exceptional skill and mental strength while describing Harmanpreet as a fiercely competitive cricketer.
Perry, who recently led Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred 2026, finished her campaign with a match-winning performance in their final league game.
Speaking to JioStar, Perry said Mandhana’s success was built on her remarkable ability, determination and approach to the game.
“What makes Smriti so successful? Her amazing skill. I think she’s got incredible willpower and a super-strong mind, the way she approaches the game, the way she prepares, the way she knows herself, the way she thinks about things, and the way that she likes challenges,” Perry said.
“She’s got it all. Harman, I think her greatest strength is her tenacity. She’s a great competitor, and when she’s going, she hits some of the biggest shots in the women’s game,” she added.
Reflecting on her own long career, Perry said her development had been shaped by years of experience and continuous learning rather than any single defining moment.
“Nothing in particular, just years of experience,” she said, explaining that different experiences, people and opportunities had helped her gradually evolve as a cricketer.
Despite winning numerous World Cup titles and other major honours, Perry said representing Australia remained her proudest achievement.
“Honestly, just being able to play for Australia would be my proudest achievement. I’m a really passionate and patriotic Australian, and I love representing my country,” she said.
Perry also welcomed the introduction of the ICC Women’s Champions Trophy in 2027, calling it an exciting addition to the international calendar while acknowledging the physical and mental demands it would place on players.
Looking at the next generation, Perry said the changing landscape of women’s cricket meant younger players were entering the professional game better prepared than ever. She stressed that learning should work both ways between experienced and emerging players.
“I don’t think there’s any one piece of advice. It’s probably just as much as they would learn from current players, I learn from them,” she said.
“They’ve got a different experience, a different energy and a different way of going about things. So, it’s just about supporting each other and having a really open mind to learn from each other,” Perry added.
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