Photo via Hindustan Times

As a 15 year-old, I was told to bat like a captain: Smriti Mandhana

Smriti Mandhana steps into the captaincy role for the Indian women’s cricket team, taking over from Harmanpreet Kaur as India prepare for a new chapter in their cricketing journey. The 2025 Asia Cup saw Mandhana cement her status as the team’s leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket, with a staggering 1,703 runs in that year alone.

Already in 2026, she has amassed 765 runs, setting the tone for her leadership as India gear up for series against Zimbabwe and a tour of South Africa later this year. Mandhana’s approach to batting has long reflected a captain’s mindset, a philosophy instilled by her coach when she was just 15 years old, and she remains focused on balancing her batting responsibilities with her new leadership duties.

Mandhana has drawn on the experiences of her predecessors, Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur, whose guidance has been instrumental in shaping her vision for Indian cricket. With major tournaments on the horizon—including the Champions Trophy in 2027, the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, and the Women’s T20 World Cup the same year—Mandhana’s leadership will be tested as India aims to build on their 2025 ODI World Cup triumph while addressing recent setbacks in the T20 format.

Her appointment, announced just days after Kaur’s retirement, signals a fresh era for the team, with Mandhana already outlining a strategic plan to elevate Indian cricket over the next two to three years.

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