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Smriti Mandhana reflects on 12 years with India, her love for cricket, the World Cup triumph, and honouring Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami, calling it a victory for ladies’s cricket
Palash Muchhal (right) with Smriti Mandhana. (X)
It has been 12 years since she first wore the Indian colors, and through this era, Smriti Mandhana has come to grasp one thing: there’s nothing on the planet she loves greater than cricket.
India’s biggest left-handed woman batter, Mandhana, reflected on her journey from making her debut in 2013 to playing a big role within the team’s World Cup triumph a month ago.
Discussing what motivates her, Mandhana said, “I don’t think I really like anything greater than cricket. Wearing that Indian jersey is the motivation that drives us. You retain all of your problems aside, and that thought alone helps you deal with life,” she stated on the Amazon Smbhav Summit on Wednesday, her first public appearance since she called off her marriage with musician Palash Mucchal.
Also Read: ‘For Me, Calm Isn’t…’: Smriti Mandhana’s 7-Word Instagram Post After Calling Off Marriage Goes Viral
She all the time had a transparent ambition.
“As a child, the madness for batting was all the time there. Nobody understood it, but in my mind, I all the time desired to be called a world champion.”
On Winning World Cup
Mandhana described the trophy as a culmination of the team’s long struggle.
“This World Cup was the reward for the battle we fought over time. We were waiting for it so badly. I’ve been playing for greater than 12 years — persistently things didn’t go our way. We visualised it before the ultimate, and once we finally saw it on the screen, it gave us goosebumps. It was an incredible, special moment,” the Indian vice-captain said.
Mandhana mentioned that the presence of veterans Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami at the ultimate intensified the emotions.
“We actually desired to do it for them, badly. Seeing tears of their eyes made it feel like women’s cricket itself was winning. It was a battle won for all of them,” she said.
The World Cup reinforced two enduring lessons for Mandhana.
“You mostly start an innings at zero, regardless of in the event you scored 100 before. And don’t play for yourself – that’s what we kept reminding one another,” she said.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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