In a season that will be remembered for years to come, Smriti Mandhana, India’s graceful left-handed opener and vice-captain, has opened up about the emotional and psychological journey behind the Indian women’s remarkable victory in the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. Her insights reveal how even the most talented athletes struggle with uncertainty, self-doubt, and the heavy expectations placed on them during pivotal moments.
As the Indian team entered the Women’s World Cup on home turf, the atmosphere was charged with hope and anticipation. The pressure was palpable as they carried the weight of a dream that had eluded them for so long, their first ODI World Cup title. For Mandhana, entering the tournament in what she described as “amazing form” felt promising. However, as the initial matches unfolded, that confidence quickly shifted to introspection and anxiety.
The first three games didn’t play out as she had hoped. Known for her classical batting technique, Mandhana found herself questioning her own mindset after a series of low scores and disappointing results for the team. She often prided herself on navigating the first ten overs without getting out, and when this didn’t happen, her frustration grew. It became a point of pressure that weighed heavily on her.
It was not just the frustrating runs; it was the context of losing to teams that were seen as less formidable, along with the daunting task of performing in front of home crowds. After a crucial dismissal in the match against England, despite scoring a solid 88, Mandhana felt the weight of disappointment crushing her. She candidly admitted that she was “the most disappointed,” as India went on to lose the game by just 4 runs.
In an honest discussion on the RCB Podcast, Mandhana shared the anxiety that lingered after that match. She recounted a flight where she couldn’t bring herself to talk, lost in thoughts of potential failure, not just for herself, but for the future of women’s cricket in India. “If we don’t qualify in a home World Cup, it would set women’s cricket back 20 years,” she recalled telling herself. Such vulnerability from a top athlete is a rare and powerful expression of the stakes they feel when playing for something greater than themselves.
What makes her story truly inspiring is not just the struggles, but what came next. Facing New Zealand in a must-win game that would determine India’s fate in the tournament, Mandhana delivered one of the most defining innings of her career: a commanding century that secured India’s victory and helped restore her confidence. This performance wasn’t just about accumulating runs; it stood as a powerful testament to resilience and mental fortitude.
She said, “Considering the importance of the match and all the noise, it was special. There are some reserved trolls for women which keep coming back. But for us as a team, we prepped so well. What people talk about changes overnight. As a team, we were just helping each other. It was eating me up that we cannot not qualify for the semi-finals of a home World Cup.”
“We got hit for 300 in that semi-final. But there was a lot of calmness. An earlier team would have been like okay we are done. But there was a lot of positiveness that we are going to chase it. Everyone also batted in that fashion. I did not see the match live; I was inside watching on TV. That semifinal took the World Cup to a different level.”
Mandhana noted the importance of that win, not only for qualifying but for boosting the entire team’s spirit. The semi-final and the eventual final, where India triumphed with a 52-run victory to lift the World Cup, were the culmination of years of close calls, heartbreaks, and monumental lessons learned. This victory was rooted in mental strength just as much as it was in cricketing skill.
Mandhana’s journey transcends cricketing fame. It’s a story of perseverance, embracing the journey with all its highs and lows, and finding strength in vulnerability. Ultimately, the 2025 Women’s World Cup didn’t just crown champions; it showcased the emotional resilience of players who refused to let pressure dictate their worth.
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