She’s the girl who holds records and has led the country to a win many times over. Cricketer Smriti Mandhana tells us what it takes to wake up like a winner every day.
The opening batswoman of the Indian cricket team; first Indian woman (only the second Indian after Virat Kohli) to hit a double century in one-day matches; a cricketer to have crossed the 1000-run mark in T20 internationals; winner of several awards including Best Women’s International Cricketer 2018 (BCCI), Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Award for the best female cricketer of the year 2018 by ICC and the ODI Player of the Year by the ICC in the same year. That’s Smriti Mandhana for you, a player with determination, dedication, focus, hard work and a never-give-up attitude. She let’s us in on how she managed to achieve it all!
You were inspired to play cricket after watching your brother, and your father played at the district level as well. Did you face any issues when you announced that you also wanted to take up the sport?
In fact, it was the opposite! It was my parents’ dream for me to become a sportsperson and play for India, and then, cricket was the chosen sport. For me, the decision came easy, I had no convincing to do. It was a normal routine for me from there on.
Despite cricket being the most popular sport in India, the men’s team is far more recognised than the women’s team even today. Your thoughts?
The situation is improving with each passing day. Especially after the 2017 Women’s World Cup, people’s knowledge about women’s cricket in India has improved drastically. There is a slight difference between the way the teams are recognised, but then men’s cricket also got a lot of recognition after winning the 1983 World Cup. For now, we are simply concentrating on winning the World Cup (to be held in New Zealand in March 2021).
Have you, because of your gender, needed to do anything differently to keep proving yourself in your field?
It was a different story for me, I was a lucky kid! I was the only six or seven-year-old girl on the ground when training. All my seniors and coaches used to shower me with special attention, thinking, “That this small girl is playing cricket.” With each step, I was offered something more—perhaps extra practice or let me play some more balls for my knocking.
What was the first feeling that hit you when you scored your double century, becoming the first Indian woman to achieve a double hundred in a one-day game?
Although it quite a long time back, it was a moment of joy. It felt more special because my team was really excited and happy about me scoring all those runs! There was a major contribution from the Maharashtra Team. After every over, they were sending a motivating message, like please don’t play a bad shot and the like, saying concentrate and try and get your 200 runs. And I did! I received a standing ovation from all the team members, one after the other, in the line after I was inside. I think those moments made that double century special.
How do you think you have bettered your game post the awards?
It would be wrong to say that my game has gotten better only after winning any award. When you receive an award, it feels great—you feel like you’re doing something right. The awards are always motivating you to work ever harder and win matches for the country.
You have scored the fastest fifty for India in Women’s T20Is (in 24 balls against New Zealand in February 2019). What motivates you to keep doing better?
My greatest motivation stems from the deep desire for India to win. I would say whenever my performance makes India win the match, is when I want to do even better. Whenever I work out, or am at the practice, I just keep thinking that I have to win matches for India, and that keeps me going. Even if I am feeling like skipping a workout, these emotions keep me going.
How do you keep at the top of your game?
It’s about being disciplined with your practice, routines and workouts. I think these are the things which are at least in my hand, I try to do my best. Whatever happens next, it might be a bad day that I might get out on a good ball or might end up scoring a 100, but that’s only partially in my hand. My workouts, routine and my practice are what I concentrate on to every day.
Which other sport interests you?
I like watching football and tennis, although I can’t play either too well. I love playing table tennis, though.
Name three of your favourite sportspersons across the world.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Roger Federer, and Sachin Tendulkar.
Name three cricketers you look up to.
Kumar Sangakkara, Michael Hayden, and Sachin Tendulkar.
How do you unwind?
Besides sleeping, I love watching movies. So yes, whenever I get free time, I end up watching movies. I also love playing games on my iPad or the Play Station.
Your advice to our readers?
Life is very unpredictable so I feel one should try and enjoy each moment, that’s something I have realised in this lockdown (although the feeling was always with me). Now, I would say, I need to enjoy everything every day and make it productive.
‘Support homegrown brands' is not a mere catchphrase anymore. It needs to be the intent behind every purchase we make today. The 2020 pandemic has given a major push to the already existing support local movement. As India celebrates 73 years of Independence, we have put together a special issue on ‘Vocal about Local’, which is in keeping with our government’s thought process of promoting local produce, local crafts and craftsmen. Download your free copy and join this initiative.
Also read: Aditi Kothari Desai, DSPIM Sales Head On The Need To For Women To Invest
Next Story