Mandhana Reveals Personal Struggles That Shaped Her Mindset Before India’s World Cup Win

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Smriti Mandhana returned to the public spotlight at the Amazon Smbhav Summit and spoke openly about handling personal challenges while staying focused on cricket. The Indian cricket star, who recently ended her engagement with music composer Palash Muchhal, said cricket continues to anchor her during difficult phases. Her comment, “I don’t think I love anything more than cricket,” received the loudest cheer from the audience.

A Reflection on India’s World Cup Triumph


Mandhana described India’s recent World Cup win as the reward for years of perseverance. She spoke, “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.” The presence of Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami at the stadium added to the significance of the win.

A Moment Dedicated to Legends of Women’s Cricket


Mandhana highlighted how the team wanted to win the title for former captains who paved the way for women’s cricket in India. She said seeing tears in the eyes of Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami made the triumph feel bigger than the trophy itself. According to her, the emotional moment symbolized a collective victory for every player who contributed to the sport’s growth.

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Mandhana on Early Dreams and Lessons Learned


The opener mentioned that her passion for batting began when she was a child and that she had always wished to be a world champion. She reflected on the two lessons reinforced during the World Cup: the first one being that every innings starts from zero, and the second one being that cricket should always be played for the team. Her words were applauded for their truthfulness and simplicity, which revealed her maturing as a leader in Indian cricket.

Why Mandhana’s Words Matter Now


Mandhana's words are very timely and show the current situation of Indian women's cricket, which has gained visibility thanks to its World Cup win. Her insistence on resilience, collaboration, and emotional maturity shows a different side when compared to difficulties experienced during the past. As the team enters a new phase, her experience and perspective might shape the next generation of players while strengthening India’s standing on the global stage.