Smriti Mandhana, the vice-captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, continues to lead the sport into new territory, both on and off the field. With the Women’s Premier League (WPL) finding its footing, Mandhana believes it is starting to replicate the ripple effect the Indian Premier League (IPL) had on men’s cricket when it launched on the same date back in 2008.
Speaking on the sidelines of the City Cricket Academy launch in Dubai, Mandhana acknowledged the growing reach and relevance of the WPL in recent years. “For sure, in the last three years, we have seen the way WPL has grown as well, and the amount of girls coming out to watch WPL matches.”
She noticed a major shift in the audience. “I think 4-5 years back you would see a lot of guys watching games in the stands. But now I think we see a clear shift in a lot of even girls coming (to see games).”
The transformation hasn’t just remained in the stands. It’s beginning to take shape in young minds across the country. “Like, small girls (are) coming up to us as well, and saying that we aspire to be cricketers, which is a really nice thing.” Mandhana believes this change is only the beginning of something bigger. “WPL for sure has played a major impact in terms of the way I think T20 cricket has reached, and the entertainment value it definitely gets. What IPL has done for men’s cricket over the last 17 years, I am sure WPL has just started to do that.”
Her belief in grassroots development and the domestic system is reflected in her academy work. At the Dubai academy, she aims to offer structured programs that not only refine skills but also build complete cricketers. “We see a lot more involvement, not only in the cities where WPL teams are. It even comes from other cities that don’t have WPL teams. But we see a lot of impact in the domestic circuit as well in terms of the way the girls want to build on their game so that they get a chance to play WPL or international cricket, which is great.”
Mandhana’s conversation with Anshuman Bhagwati, the Academy Director, was centered on inclusivity and excellence. “This is only going to help in terms of having proper facilities in terms of academies, and that’s what my conversation with Don (Anshuman Bhagwati, Academy Director) was in terms of the academy – that definitely the academy is for everyone.” However, her vision goes beyond cricketing technique. “But we really want to focus in terms of how we can develop women’s cricket, in terms of overall development and not just on skills.”
The emphasis is on creating athletes who are mentally and physically prepared for elite competition. “I think a lot of academies do focus a lot on skills. But we really want to give programs in terms of how we can develop their personal strength, and conditioning. So that whenever they leave the academy, they can be like a final product.”
While Mandhana builds platforms for others, her own journey remains packed with milestones. The Ratnagiri Jets recently signed her as their icon player for the next three seasons of the Women’s Maharashtra Premier League (WMPL)—a massive statement of ambition by the franchise. This comes after she captained Royal Challengers Bangalore to their WPL title win in 2024, proving her leadership in franchise cricket as well.
Her domestic and international records are as strong as her stature. Representing Maharashtra with pride, she has brought countless accolades to the state and country. Her cabinet features four ICC awards, including the prestigious Cricketer of the Year and ODI Cricketer of the Year.
She won the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Award in 2018 and again in 2021, a testament to her consistent excellence. The BCCI named her the Best Women’s International Cricketer back in June 2018. She was nominated for ICC Women’s T20 Player of the Year in 2021, and more recently, she won the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year title in January 2025 for her outstanding performance through 2024.
Smriti Mandhana’s career numbers continue to awe. In Test cricket, she has scored 629 runs from 7 matches. Her ODI journey has seen her amass 4,209 runs in 97 games, making her one of the most dependable players in the format. In T20Is, she has notched up 3,761 runs in 148 matches. Even in the WPL, her dominance shows—581 runs from 23 games and counting.
As she gears up to represent India in the upcoming ODI tri-series in Sri Lanka from April 27 to May 11—where South Africa will also participate—Mandhana’s story is far from finished. If anything, she’s entering a chapter where her influence is just as impactful off the field as it is on it.
From inspiring young girls in the stands to shaping the next generation through academies, Smriti Mandhana is no longer just a star. She is the architect of a bold, inclusive, and powerful new era in women’s cricket.
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