Smriti Mandhana’s relationship with cricket has always felt larger than life. From the moment she picked up a bat as a young girl, she carried a quiet certainty about what she wanted to become. Over the years, fans have watched her grow from a promising teenager into one of the most graceful and dominant left-handed batters India has ever produced. To this day, her calm presence, fierce determination and genuine humility make her one of the most cherished faces in the sport.
As she reflects on 12 years of wearing the Indian jersey during an event which was her first public appearance since her marriage with Palash Mucchal got called off, Smriti Mandhana realises that cricket remains the one constant she loves more than anything else. Thinking back to her debut in 2013 and the journey that eventually led to India’s World Cup triumph just a month ago, she spoke openly about what continues to motivate her. She said that wearing the India colours brings a sense of purpose strong enough to quiet every other worry.
Her passion goes back to childhood. Even as a young girl, she felt an intense pull toward batting, a drive few around her fully understood at the time. But in her mind, she always carried one dream — to be called a world champion one day. That dream finally took shape when she and her teammates lifted the World Cup, a moment she describes as the culmination of a long, difficult battle. After years of setbacks, losses and near-misses, seeing the trophy on the screen after the final left her with goosebumps. It felt like a reward the team had chased for years.
Emotion ran even deeper with legends Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami present at the final. Winning in front of them felt symbolic, as though all of women’s cricket was celebrating together. Watching tears in their eyes made the victory feel bigger than the team, it felt like a tribute to everyone who had paved the path.
Smriti Mandhana holds close the lessons the journey taught her. She says that every innings begins at zero, no matter how well you played the previous day. And cricket is never about the individual, it’s about playing for the team. Those reminders kept the squad grounded, united and ready for the moment that finally changed their lives.
