• Source:JND
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ICC Women’s World Cup: India's vice-captain Smriti Mandhana highlighted a significant transformation in the women's team since the previous T20 World Cup, where every player is viewed as a potential "match-winner" driven by the approach of increased emphasis on fitness and preparation.

Harmanpreet Kaur-led India's women's cricket team is preparing for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 to break their jinx of never having lifted the major tournament.

"I think our belief has changed a lot and it only changes with what work you put behind it. When the effort is there, the fight will always be there," Mandhana told JioStar.

"That's one thing that has changed with this team — everyone believes they are match-winners," she added.

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The 29-year-old opener acknowledged that the outcome of the previous T20 World Cup had a profound impact on her as an athlete.

"The last T20 World Cup was something which hit me quite a lot. I thought to myself, 'I don't want to feel like this as an athlete in my life'. Post that, a lot of fitness and nutritional changes have come into place," she said.

Mandhana said the players are keen to adopt the conditions at the upcoming World Cup.

"We all have been waiting for this World Cup. A lot of things have changed for women's cricket in India since 2013 when I was a kid. I am really excited to see how the stadiums turn out and the way they will support," she added.

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"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," Mandhana said.