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Key Points

Smriti Mandhana vividly remembers the emotional moment she received her first Indian jersey as a 17-year-old. She faced significant challenges early on, having to leave home at 14 to pursue cricket training. The team's early exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup served as a powerful motivator for change. Now, with renewed belief and fitness, Mandhana and the team are eagerly awaiting their World Cup campaign.

Key Points: Smriti Mandhana Recalls Emotional India Jersey and T20 WC 2024 Impact

  • Mandhana recalls her family's emotional reaction to her first India jersey at age 17
  • She describes the challenge of leaving home at 14 to train in Pune
  • The 2024 T20 World Cup group-stage exit was a major turning point for the team
  • She highlights increased belief and fitness changes ahead of the ODI World Cup
  • Mandhana notes the WPL has prepared the team for loud, supportive crowds
  • She is close to breaking the record for most ODI runs in a calendar year
4 min read

Smriti Mandhana recalls receiving Indian jersey at age of 17, how T20 WC 2024 group-stage exit changed the team

Indian star Smriti Mandhana shares the emotional story of receiving her first jersey at 17 and how the 2024 T20 World Cup exit fueled the team's transformation.

"I do not want to feel like this as an athlete in my life - Smriti Mandhana"

Mumbai, September 25

Ahead of her side's ICC Women's World Cup campaign, Indian batter Smriti Mandhana spoke on receiving her Indian jersey for the first time ever as a teenager, saying that her brother and parents felt "emotional" on seeing her wearing India's iconic blue colours.

Smriti, currently in red-hot form heading into the tournament, was speaking to JioStar ahead of her side's ICC Women's Cricket World Cup campaign start against Sri Lanka from September 30 at Guwahati.

Speaking to JioStar, Smriti recalled that she was 17 when she received her Indian jersey, having made her debut in 2014.

"I remember I was 17 when I got the India jersey in my room. I do not think I can forget it. I wore it and sent the photos to my parents and my brother. They were very emotional," recalled Mandhana proudly.

Smriti recalled that being in Sangli, a city in Maharashtra, and not many girls playing cricket back then was a significant challenge for her, as she had to travel to Pune and spend four to five months away from home.

"As a 14-year-old to do that, and miss out on school, it was very challenging," she added.

Smriti recalled that during the semifinal of the Commonwealth Games against Australia back in 2022 at Birmingham, a tournament in which India secured a historic silver medal, was one of those instances of feeling "extremely proud of wearing the jersey". She also said that since then, with so much hard work put in, the belief within the team has "changed a lot".

"Everyone believes they are match-winners. The last T20 World Cup (in 2024 when India finished at third in Group stage and missed out the next round) was something which hit me quite a lot. I thought to myself, 'I do not want to feel like this as an athlete in my life'. Post that, a lot of fitness and nutritional changes have come into place. We all have been waiting for this World Cup," she added.

Mandhana said that since 2013, a lot has changed for women's cricket and she is excited to see fans turning in big numbers to cheer the team.

"The Women's Premier League (WPL) has made us immune to the loud crowd as well. Nothing can beat people cheering India at the stadiums," she concluded.

This year, Mandhana has been in red-hot form, scoring 928 runs in 14 innings at an average of 66.28 with a strike rate of 115.85, with four centuries and three fifties and a best score of 135.

She finished as the leading wicket-taker in the recent home series against Australia, which India lost 1-2, with 300 runs in three matches at an average of 100.00, with two centuries and a fifty. In the final ODI yesterday, with a 50-ball century, she overtook Virat Kohli to register the fastest century by an Indian in ODI cricket across both men's and women's cricket.

India will start their Cricket World Cup campaign at home against Sri Lanka in Guwahati, with Mandhana needing 43 runs to break Australia's Belinda Clark's record of 970 runs in women's ODIs during the 1997 calendar year, the most by a women's cricketer.

In 16 WC matches for India, Mandhana has made 559 runs in 16 innings at an average of 37.26, with two centuries and three fifties, with a best score of 123.

India squad for ICC Women's World Cup: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Uma Chetry, Renuka Singh Thakur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud. Reserves: Tejal Hasabnis, Prema Rawat, Priya Mishra, Minnu Mani, Sayali Satghare.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
That T20 WC exit really hurt, but glad to see the team learned from it. The fitness and nutrition changes are showing in their performance. Mandhana's form is incredible - fastest ODI century by an Indian! 🔥
S
Sarah B
As someone new to women's cricket, I'm amazed by Smriti's story. The challenges she faced traveling from Sangli to Pune at 14 show incredible determination. The WPL has really raised the profile of women's cricket in India.
A
Arjun K
While I appreciate Smriti's honesty about the T20 WC disappointment, I hope the team management addresses the consistency issues. We have the talent but need better tournament strategies. Still, excited for the World Cup!
K
Kavya N
The part about her family getting emotional when she wore the India jersey for the first time really touched my heart. 🥲 That blue jersey means so much to every Indian cricketer and their families. Go Smriti! Break that record!
M
Michael C
Impressive stats! 928 runs this year at 66 average is world-class. The Commonwealth Games silver medal was a turning point for Indian women's cricket. Good to see the team building on that momentum.
D
Divya L

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