Who Is Shravan Mandhana? Smriti Mandhana’s Lesser-Known Elder Brother Who Inspired Her Cricket Journey, Played Maharashtra U-16 And Now Runs...

Every sports icon has an origin story – a moment, a person, or a push that nudges them towards greatness. In Smriti Mandhana’s case, that spark wasn’t a star coach, a dramatic turning point, or a cinematic twist. It was something far more ordinary and far more powerful: the sight of her elder brother playing cricket on a dusty ground in Sangli. Long before stadiums chanted her name, long before India claimed the World Cup 2025 in Navi Mumbai, Smriti Mandhana was just a little girl following her brother around nets and state tournaments, quietly absorbing the rhythm of the game that would one day become her legacy. Today, as headlines celebrate her upcoming wedding with music composer Palash Muchhal – a private affair in her hometown Sangli – curiosity

has naturally drifted towards the family that shaped her. While Palash is a celebrated name in the music industry and his sister Palak Muchhal is a well-known singer, Smriti’s side of the story comes with its own share of unsung heroes. And at the heart of it sits her elder brother, Shravan Mandhana. So, who exactly is the man who unknowingly set one of India’s greatest women cricketers on her path?

A Childhood Rooted in Sangli

Shravan Mandhana was born to Shrinivas and Smita Mandhana, a family deeply rooted in Sangli, Maharashtra. The Mandhana household revolved around sports long before Smriti became its brightest star. Shravan and Smriti grew up in a neighbourhood where cricket grounds were as common as monsoon puddles, and evenings often ended with one more over, one more match, or one more argument over who bowled the better delivery. Although Smriti would later become the international face of the family, Shravan was the first Mandhana to pick up a cricket bat with ambition.

A Cricketer Before Smriti Was a Cricketer

Before the country knew Smriti’s striking cover drive, they knew nothing about Shravan’s steady rise through Maharashtra’s cricketing pathways. Shravan represented Maharashtra in under-16 state tournaments, the kind of competitions that shape discipline and ignite dreams. He played at the local and state levels, and to young Smriti—watching from the sidelines—he was nothing short of a hero. It was Shravan’s matches, his kit bag, his morning practices, and his conversations about cricket that inspired Smriti to take the sport seriously. She has often credited her brother’s influence for leading her towards cricket. The turning point came when she watched him compete in Maharashtra’s under-16 tournaments; that was the moment the seed truly took root. In many ways, Shravan’s cricketing journey didn’t just belong to him: it became the foundation on which Smriti built her own.

From the Pitch to Entrepreneurship

While Smriti went on to conquer international cricket, Shravan forged a different path after his early sporting years. Today, he looks after the family’s flagship venture – SM 18 Turf Club and Café in Sangli – a well-known local sports and leisure space run jointly with his father, Shrinivas Mandhana. The SM 18 Turf Club has developed into a buzzing hangout spot for young players, families, and anyone who enjoys a laid-back evening around cricket culture. In its own way, the venture keeps Shravan connected to the world of sports even though he no longer plays professionally. It is also a testament to the Mandhana family’s long-standing bond with cricket, community, and Sangli.

A Quiet Personal Life

Shravan Mandhana married his wife (name not publicly known) on 10 July 2018. The couple welcomed their son, Hrinay Mandhana, on 9 October 2021, marking a new chapter for the Mandhana family. Away from the limelight that naturally follows Smriti, Shravan has maintained a grounded, quiet life focused on family, business, and community.

A Brother Beaming With Pride

When India lifted the Women’s World Cup 2025 in Navi Mumbai, the celebrations at the Mandhana home were unmatched. For Shravan, it wasn’t just about the trophy; it was about watching his younger sister reach the pinnacle of world cricket after more than a decade of relentless training, sacrifice, and pressure. His reaction said as much: “The win was even more special because we were with her. She has been working so hard for 12 years and to see her achieve this feels amazing. We are so proud of the way she, and the rest of the team, played in the tournament.” It wasn’t a statement crafted for the cameras. It was the voice of an elder brother who has seen every early-morning net session, every injury panic, every small victory, and every heartbreak.

Why Shravan Matters in Smriti Mandhana’s Story

Every cricket fan knows Smriti Mandhana, but not everyone knows the quiet, steady presence that shaped her earliest days. Shravan Mandhana wasn’t just a sibling playing cricket; he was the inspiration, motivation, and early mentor Smriti may not have realised she needed. He represents a familiar Indian story — of brothers who become their younger sisters’ first role models; of families where dreams begin not with a plan, but with an imitation; of journeys that start on small local grounds and somehow end on world stages.

Smriti may be the celebrated face of Indian cricket, but Shravan remains a key chapter in the story that got her there. And as she prepares for a new life chapter with Palash Muchhal, it’s only fitting to shine a spotlight on the person who helped her take her very first step towards the cricketing world that now knows her name.