Smriti Mandhana Shares Heartwarming Message from MS Dhoni After World Cup Victory

Historic Win for India Women’s Team

Smriti Mandhana, the captain of the Indian women's cricket team, recently disclosed a touching message she received from former men's captain MS Dhoni following the team's remarkable victory in the Women’s ODI World Cup. Under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, the Women in Blue achieved their first World Cup title by defeating South Africa in the final.

With this win, India became the fourth nation to secure the Women’s ODI World Cup, joining Australia, New Zealand, and England. They are also the third team to have won both men's and women's 50-over World Cups, marking a significant milestone in cricket history.

A Long-Awaited Triumph

The Indian women's team had to wait 47 years since their inaugural participation in the ODI World Cup in 1978 to finally lift the trophy on home soil. The final match took place at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai in November 2025.

Mandhana's Special Connection with Dhoni

Almost a year after their World Cup victory, Smriti Mandhana, who served as vice-captain during the tournament, recounted how Dhoni reached out to her. At an event celebrating Gulf Oil Lubricants' 125th anniversary in Mumbai, she shared that Dhoni sent a congratulatory message to the entire team via WhatsApp.

Mandhana expressed her delight, noting, "He actually did send me a message after the World Cup win. I know he doesn't use his phone a lot. I was very happy that he used WhatsApp to congratulate all of us."

Dhoni's Rare Communication

MS Dhoni, known for his reserved nature and limited digital communication, rarely reaches out directly. It was reported that he seldom carries a phone unless necessary, a fact he confirmed during the event in Mumbai.

Mandhana revealed that Dhoni only had her contact information, as he had worked with her on a commercial shoot prior to the tournament. Dhoni explained, "I didn't know anyone else's number from the team. I wanted the message to go through."

Looking Ahead

Following her appointment as captain, Smriti Mandhana has led the team to success, including a recent series against Zimbabwe. She is set to guide India on their upcoming tour of South Africa, which includes a one-off Test, a three-match ODI series, and a T20I series.