Smriti Mandhana opens up on her love for cricket

Indian Women’s team vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has experienced a whirlwind of emotions over the past month, moving through moments of immense pride and personal challenges. Fresh off her remarkable performances in the Women’s World Cup, where she played a pivotal role in guiding India to a historic title win, Mandhana was widely celebrated for her consistency, leadership, and calm presence under pressure. The victory marked a defining milestone in her career and further cemented her reputation as one of the most influential figures in women’s cricket.

Smriti Mandhana gives first interview after wedding called off

However, soon after the triumph, Mandhana encountered a difficult period in her personal life, which momentarily shifted her focus away from the sport. While details of the situation remained private, the emotional weight was evident as she took time to gather herself. Despite the turbulence, her resilience stood out. Mandhana has now returned to the field, channeling her energy back into cricket, something she has often described as her biggest source of joy and stability. Her comeback signals both renewed strength and unwavering commitment. As she resumes training and competitive play, fans and teammates alike continue to rally behind her, appreciating not just her cricketing excellence but also her ability to rise above adversity.

Smriti Mandhana is now gearing up for IND-W vs SL-W T20I series, scheduled to begin on December 21. The series holds added significance as it will be India’s first bilateral outing since their memorable Women’s World Cup final on November 2. After a period of emotional highs and lows, Mandhana’s return to competitive cricket comes at an important moment for the team, which will look to her experience and stability at the top of the order.

On Wednesday, December 10, Mandhana reunited with captain Harmanpreet Kaur at a public event, where she spoke candidly about her recent experiences. She reflected on the past few weeks with honesty, acknowledging both the joy of India’s World Cup triumph and the personal challenges that followed. Mandhana shared that returning to the field has helped her regain clarity and focus, and she expressed eagerness to rejoin the squad for the upcoming series.

"Well, to be fair, I mean, as Harman said, the love for the game, and I don't think I love anything in life more than cricket. So, when you go out to bat or when you go out to represent your country, I don't think any other thoughts are there in your mind. When you put on the Indian jersey, the only thing you want to do is represent India and win the match for the country," stated Indian Women's cricketer Smriti Mandhana. 

"And yeah, I mean, the biggest motivation is when you put on the jersey and India is written on it. I mean, I always tell everyone that once you put on the jersey, you just keep all your problems aside and just be on the field, because you have a responsibility and you are one among two billion people who are representing your country. And I mean, just the thought of that is enough for you to have that razor-sharp focus and do what you want to do,” she added.

Smriti Mandhana also took the opportunity to clear the air regarding recent reports suggesting friction within the Indian women’s cricket team. She firmly dismissed the speculation, emphasizing that every member of the squad is driven by a shared purpose, to win matches for the country. Mandhana explained that in a high-performance environment, differing viewpoints are not only natural but also beneficial, as they often lead to deeper understanding and stronger decision-making.

She highlighted that what some perceive as disagreements are, in reality, healthy discussions that contribute to the team’s overall improvement. According to her, open conversations about strategy, roles, and match situations are an integral part of building a successful unit. Mandhana stressed that such exchanges help players challenge each other, refine ideas, and ensure everyone remains aligned with the team’s ambitions.

The vice-captain further noted that India’s recent achievements - including their historic World Cup victory, are proof that the team operates with unity, trust, and mutual respect. She affirmed that behind every triumph lies countless hours of brainstorming, honest feedback, and collaborative effort. Mandhana concluded by saying that constructive dialogue is a sign of a mature team, and these internal discussions often become the foundation of future victories.

"Well, I think, firstly, I don't look at it as an issue because everyone is wanting to win the game for the country and everyone has their own opinion on how we will win the game for the country," Mandhana said.

"But genuinely, if we don't have those discussions or arguments, we aren't winning on the ground. Because if we do not have those sorts of discussions where we are disagreeing about something, that means we are not passionate enough to win the match for the team. So, we definitely do have those sorts of discussions,” she concluded.