The joy of lifting a World Cup has barely settled but the Indian women’s cricket team is already looking ahead. For players like Smriti Mandhana, success is no longer about one big moment; it’s about building a team that dominates consistently, across formats and seasons.
Speaking ahead of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) opener, Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Smriti Mandhana made it clear that the Indian women’s team wants to be the best in the world, not just in patches but all year round. She credited the WPL as a major force helping the team move closer to that goal, especially after India’s maiden ODI World Cup triumph last November.
Smriti Mandhana’s RCB will take on defending champions Mumbai Indians, led by India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, in the opening match at DY Patil Stadium on Friday. The venue holds special meaning for the Indian team, as it is where they created history by winning their first global title.
During a joint press interaction with Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana acknowledged the importance of the ODI World Cup win but stressed that there is still plenty of room to grow. She spoke about the desire to win more trophies, including the T20 World Cup, and said that the WPL is helping players bridge gaps in skill, confidence and match readiness.
She explained that whenever the team comes together, the conversation is always about long-term excellence rather than isolated victories. According to her, each WPL season sharpens players further and pushes the team closer to becoming the best across all formats.
Harmanpreet Kaur echoed those thoughts, saying that the team is far from satisfied with just one World Cup. She spoke about the hunger within the squad and the mindset to win every time they step onto the field. She also highlighted how the WPL has raised standards, with players working harder than ever and younger talent adapting smoothly to international cricket. She said that the gap which once existed between domestic and international levels has noticeably reduced.
With the Women’s T20 World Cup scheduled for June and July in England, Smriti Mandhana pointed out that strong performances in the WPL could open doors for players aiming for national selection. She said that exceptional talent and standout seasons would definitely be noticed, though final selections would depend on team balance and specific needs.
Smriti Mandhana also revealed that RCB went into the auction knowing that Australian great Ellyse Perry would miss this WPL season as she opted for a break. While admitting that Ellyse Perry is irreplaceable, she expressed excitement about the young squad RCB has assembled, describing the team environment as energetic and close-knit.
Looking back at the unforgettable ODI World Cup win at DY Patil Stadium, Smriti Mandhana said that the memories are etched forever. She recalled how the players remember the exact spot where Harmanpreet Kaur took the final catch and believes those moments would stay vivid even decades later. She joked that if Harmanpreet tries to target that area during the match, her message to the team would be simple — avoid hitting there.
As the WPL begins, the message from India’s stars is clear — the hunger has not faded and the journey has only just begun.
