In a month marked by both professional triumph and personal upheaval, Smriti Mandhana, the star batter and vice-captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, made her first public appearance following the announcement of calling off her wedding. The November 23 wedding that was postponed earlier after Mandhana’s father’s illness was called off in early December, but this setback has not dimmed her passion or commitment to cricket.
Mandhana, fresh from playing a crucial role in India’s historic triumph at the Women’s World Cup in November, spoke candidly about her love for the game and how it anchors her through challenges. Addressing the media alongside India captain Harmanpreet Kaur at a recent event, Mandhana emphasized the deep connection she has with cricket.
“Honestly, I don’t think I love anything in life more than cricket,” she shared. “When you go out to bat or when you represent your country, I don’t think any other thoughts are there in the mind. When you put on the Indian jersey, the only thing you want to do is represent India and win the match for your country,” Mandhana said. She said players carry the hopes of 1.4 billion people of our India, and that responsibility sharpens her focus completely.
Mandhana underlined the mental strength required to compartmentalize personal struggles and highlight the unifying power of sport. She said how when one wears the jersey with ‘India’ written on it; they keep aside all problems and focus solely on the game. The magnitude of representing a nation motivates them enough to bring razor sharp focus to the field.
Mandhana’s words reveal how deeply cricket defines her identity and purpose. The biggest motivation is the jersey and what it stands for. Representing India comes with huge responsibility when you are one among billion people representing your country, that’s enough to focus your mind to do your best, she explained.
On the topic of internal team dynamics, Mandhana dismissed any idea of discord as negative. Instead, she framed discussions and disagreements within the team as signs of commitment and passion to win. “I don’t look at it as an issue,” Smriti said.
“Everyone has their own opinion on how we will win the game for the country. 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.”
Mandhana’s will soon feature in India’s T20I series against Sri Lanka, set to begin on December 21. This bilateral series marks India’s first international cricket assignment since the Women’s World Cup final on November 2, and Mandhana appears determined to channel her focus fully into the game.
Reflecting on the personal turmoil experienced recently, Mandhana’s grace and resolve have inspired many. The decision to call off the wedding was publicly shared by both Mandhana and Muchhal on social media on December 7. While personal details remain private, the cricketing world has rallied behind the batter, lauding her professionalism and resilience.
As Smriti Mandhana looks forward to her journey on the cricket pitch, her focus is crystal clear, to put India’s interests first and inspire through her performances. In a season that tested her beyond the boundary ropes, she has shown that her greatest love remains the sport she excels in and the country she plays for.
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