Smriti Mandhana Reflects on Team's Growth Ahead of T20 World Cup

In a recent interview, Smriti Mandhana, vice-captain of the Indian women's cricket team, discussed the importance of focusing on improvement as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup. After a stellar performance against Sri Lanka, where she became the fastest female cricketer to reach 10,000 international runs, Mandhana emphasized the need to move beyond past successes and concentrate on the team's growth. She expressed gratitude for fan support and outlined the team's commitment to enhancing their performance in various aspects of the game. Discover more about her insights and the team's aspirations for the future.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 29, 2025, 14:10 IST

Mandhana's Insights on Team Improvement

New Delhi: Smriti Mandhana, the vice-captain of the Indian women's cricket team, has emphasized that dwelling on past successes will not aid their preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup. She believes there is significant room for improvement as the team gears up for the global event next year.

In a recent match against Sri Lanka in Trivandrum, Mandhana showcased her batting prowess, scoring 80 runs off 48 balls, marking her as the fastest female cricketer to achieve 10,000 international runs, joining the ranks of legends like Charlotte Edwards, Mithali Raj, and Suzie Bates.

Mandhana stated, "In cricket, every match starts at zero. What matters is not the previous performances but how you approach each game. My expectations vary across formats. In T20, it's crucial not to be overly harsh on oneself after a dismissal, as the game is fast-paced and unpredictable."

She expressed that while she holds herself to high standards in one-day and test formats, where time is more abundant, T20 cricket requires a different mindset. "You can’t overthink; it’s about quick recovery and moving on," she added.

As the team prepares for the T20 World Cup, Mandhana described it as a 'work in progress' and cautioned against fixating on their recent ODI World Cup victory, which could hinder their focus on future challenges.

Reflecting on their recent matches, she noted, "If I had focused too much on the earlier games, it would have affected my performance. We must concentrate on our cricketing approach. The One Day World Cup was a significant achievement for women's cricket, but we cannot dwell solely on past successes."

Mandhana acknowledged the support from fans during their World Cup journey and expressed her desire to continue making them proud. She highlighted the team's commitment to improving fitness, performance, and execution of strategies as they move forward.

She concluded, "This year has been remarkable for women's cricket, and I hope we continue to earn the support of our fans as we strive for excellence."