Smriti Mandhana's Honest Confession Post Wedding Cancelation: 'I Don't Think I Love Anything More Than Cricket'
Smriti Mandhana has lived many moments in her 12-year cricket journey, debuts, defeats, milestones and, finally, the historic ODI World Cup victory. But if there’s one truth she’s certain about today, it’s this: nothing matters to her more than cricket. Speaking at the Amazon Smbhav Summit, the vice-captain opened up about her passion, her struggles, and the moment that changed everything.
Mandhana said the India jersey still gives her the same jolt of purpose it did at 17. “I don’t think there is anything I love more than cricket. Putting on the India jersey is the biggest motivation. No matter what you’re going through, that one thought helps you block everything out,” she shared, adding that the thought of representing the country continues to silence every distraction.
That clarity, she said, existed even when she was a child obsessed with batting. “The obsession with batting was always there. People around me didn’t really get it, but in my head I wanted only one thing — to be known as a world champion.”
The World Cup win, she explained, wasn’t just a trophy, it was the culmination of years of heartbreak, near-misses, and relentless grind. “This trophy was the outcome of everything we’ve been fighting for. I’ve played for more than a decade, and so many times things didn’t fall into place. Before the final, we pictured that moment over and over again. When it finally appeared on the screen, it genuinely gave us goosebumps. It was emotional in every way,” she said.
The victory became even more emotional with icons Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami watching in the stands. “We desperately wanted to win it for them too. Seeing tears in their eyes felt like the whole of women’s cricket had achieved something. It was a victory for everyone who came before us,” she said.
Reflecting on the biggest lessons from the triumph, Mandhana said, You always start from zero, regardless of what you scored previously. And never play for yourself — that’s something we kept telling one another."
The event was also her first public appearance since confirming the cancellation of her wedding, but Mandhana kept the spotlight firmly on cricket, the one thing that has never disappointed her.
From a girl who lived for batting to a world champion who inspires millions, Smriti Mandhana’s story is a reminder of what passion looks like when you refuse to let go.
Mandhana said the India jersey still gives her the same jolt of purpose it did at 17. “I don’t think there is anything I love more than cricket. Putting on the India jersey is the biggest motivation. No matter what you’re going through, that one thought helps you block everything out,” she shared, adding that the thought of representing the country continues to silence every distraction.
That clarity, she said, existed even when she was a child obsessed with batting. “The obsession with batting was always there. People around me didn’t really get it, but in my head I wanted only one thing — to be known as a world champion.”
The World Cup win, she explained, wasn’t just a trophy, it was the culmination of years of heartbreak, near-misses, and relentless grind. “This trophy was the outcome of everything we’ve been fighting for. I’ve played for more than a decade, and so many times things didn’t fall into place. Before the final, we pictured that moment over and over again. When it finally appeared on the screen, it genuinely gave us goosebumps. It was emotional in every way,” she said.
The victory became even more emotional with icons Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami watching in the stands. “We desperately wanted to win it for them too. Seeing tears in their eyes felt like the whole of women’s cricket had achieved something. It was a victory for everyone who came before us,” she said.
Reflecting on the biggest lessons from the triumph, Mandhana said, You always start from zero, regardless of what you scored previously. And never play for yourself — that’s something we kept telling one another."
The event was also her first public appearance since confirming the cancellation of her wedding, but Mandhana kept the spotlight firmly on cricket, the one thing that has never disappointed her.
From a girl who lived for batting to a world champion who inspires millions, Smriti Mandhana’s story is a reminder of what passion looks like when you refuse to let go.
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