Smriti Mandhana Reflects On Becoming World Champion, Says 'I Don't Think I Love Anything More Than Cricket...'

Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has been one of the mainstays, who has seen the rise of women's cricket in the country. Since her debut 13 years back in 2013, Mandhana has been at the forefront of famous victories impacting Indian Cricket. It will not be an exaggeration to say that she has been India's greatest left-hand batter.

In her interaction with PTI, Mandhana revealed how she loves the game more than anything else in her life.

Reflecting on what drives her, Mandhana added, "I don't think I love anything more than cricket. Wearing that Indian jersey is the motivation that drives us. You keep all your problems aside, and that thought alone helps you focus on life," she said at the Amazon Sambhav Summit here on Wednesday.

"As a kid, the madness for batting was always there. No one understood it, but in my mind, I always wanted to be called a world champion."

It Was An Incredible Moment: Mandhana

Mandhana said the trophy felt like a culmination of the team's long struggle.

"This World Cup was the reward for the battle we fought over the years. We were waiting for it so badly. I've been playing for more than 12 years — many times things didn't go our way. We visualised it before the final, and when we finally saw it on the screen, it gave us goosebumps. It was an incredible, special moment," the Indian vice-captain said.

Mandhana said the presence of veterans Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami at the final heightened the emotion.

"We really wanted to do it for them, badly. Seeing tears in their eyes made it feel like women's cricket itself was winning. It was a battle won for all of them," she said.

Mandhana said the World Cup reinforced two enduring lessons.

"You always start an innings at zero, no matter if you scored a hundred before. And don't play for yourself - that's what we kept reminding each other," she said.

Inputs from Agency