Smriti Mandhana Credits India Women’s Hot Streak to Strong Off-Field Preparations
India Women’s vice-captain Smriti Mandhana believes the team’s recent success is no accident—it’s the result of meticulous off-field planning and preparation. Mandhana, who has been in superb form herself, has emerged as a standout performer over the past two years. She racked up 747 runs in 2024 and has already scored 628 runs in 2025, making her the leading run-scorer in ODIs this year.
The timing of her form couldn’t be better. The 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup kicks off on September 30, with India set to face Sri Lanka in the opening clash. After falling short in the 2022 edition, where they failed to progress beyond the group stage, the Women in Blue are determined to turn the tables this time.
With the advantage of home conditions and a balanced squad brimming with experience and youthful energy, India will be eyeing nothing short of the top spot. Mandhana’s leadership, combined with the team’s strategic groundwork, might just be the key to lifting the trophy in front of home fans.
Mandhana Highlights Team Bonding & Training as Key to Success
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Mandhana revealed that India’s improved performances are the product of intense training camps and a united dressing room.
“The amount of training we are doing and the efforts we are putting in our training camps, that is finally giving us a result and hopefully this World Cup will be very special for us,” Mandhana said. “In the last one-and-a-half months in the UK, I just felt a lot of things. Even off the field was very right about the team, in terms of how everyone came together… we are working hard here each day, day in and day out.”
She also praised the contribution of young talents, highlighting Kranti Goud’s six-wicket haul in the third ODI as a standout moment.
“For all the youngsters to come in… and I remember Kranti taking six wickets, I mean to watch her go was just amazing. Sometimes, the environment really helps all of them,” she added.
Mandhana’s comments suggest that India’s success is being built on a blend of discipline, hard work, and an uplifting team culture, giving them every chance to shine in the upcoming World Cup.
Mandhana on Evolving Work Ethic & Team Clarity
The Mumbai-born batter also opened up about how her approach to the game has matured in recent years. She credited a transformation in her work ethic for bringing more calmness and focus to her cricket, a shift she believes has benefited not only her but the entire squad.
“More than my mindset, the work ethics have changed quite a lot in the last two or three years. And because of that, there is a lot of calmness around how I want to go about my cricket. So that’s one thing which has changed massively. What happens in the field is a very secondary thing,” Mandhana explained.
She emphasised that the team now clearly understands where to channel their efforts, leading to improved consistency and composure.
“Our primary job is to do the job. And not only for me – I think the whole team is heading into that direction, [where] we know where we actually have to work hard. So, we all are pretty clear with those sorts of things. And that creates a lot of calmness. I would say that in the last one-and-a-half-odd years, that’s been a massive change for me personally, and also, within the team,” she added.
With clear goals, unity, and disciplined preparation, Mandhana and her teammates appear determined to make the 2025 Women’s World Cup a historic campaign.
Mandhana on Balanced Competition in Women’s Cricket
The elegant left-handed opener also shared her thoughts on how the competitive landscape in women’s cricket has shifted in recent years. According to her, no team can take a finals spot for granted anymore, which makes tournaments more exciting and rewarding.
“Now every team has improved a lot. You don’t know which team is going to be there in the top four. So, I think that is something which is really good because earlier… they were very dominating. One team was always sure they were going to play in the finals. But right now, it’s always open, so it’s only about playing good cricket on that particular day and giving your best,” Mandhana said.
She believes this unpredictability is healthy for the sport, pushing every side to bring their best game every match instead of relying on historic dominance.
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