A Family Steeped in Cricket
Cricket runs deep in the Mandhana family. Her father, Shrinivas, and brother, Shravan, both played cricket at the district level for Sangli in Maharashtra. It was watching her brother play in a Maharashtra state Under-16 tournament that first ignited
Smriti's passion for the game. Her father, who had once dreamt of a professional cricketing career himself, became a key figure in her training, while her brother still bowls to her in the nets. Interestingly, while Smriti is naturally right-handed, her father encouraged her to bat left-handed, a decision that would shape her elegant and dominant style.
The Story Behind Jersey No. 18
The number 18 on Smriti Mandhana’s jersey has become iconic, a number she shares with Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli. However, the choice wasn't initially about emulating Kohli. When she first needed a jersey number, her preferred choice, number 7 (her school roll number), was already taken. A BCCI manager then suggested 18, as her birthday falls on July 18. In interviews, she has admitted that at the time, she was not even aware that it was the same number Kohli wore. This happy coincidence has only added to the legacy of the number in Indian cricket.
A Record-Breaking Captain
While her batting records are widely known, not everyone remembers her leadership milestone. In February 2019, Smriti Mandhana became the youngest person to ever captain India in a T20 International match, for either the men's or women's team. At just 22 years and 229 days old, she stepped up to lead the side against England after regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur was ruled out due to injury. Before her, the record for the youngest Indian T20I captain was held by Suresh Raina, who was 23 when he first led the men's team. This achievement highlighted her maturity and integral role within the team setup from a young age.
The Prized Bat from 'The Wall'
Every cricketer has their heroes, and for Smriti, two legends stand out. She has long admired former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara, whose style she often tried to emulate in the nets. But one of her most prized possessions came from another icon: Rahul Dravid. After she scored a remarkable double-century (224 off 150 balls) in a domestic Under-19 tournament, her brother met Dravid and told him about his sister's passion. 'The Wall' gifted her one of his practice bats, which she cherishes to this day.
A Chef and Restaurateur
Away from the cricket pitch, Smriti has a completely different passion: food. She has often said that if she hadn't become a cricketer, she would have likely become a chef. This isn't just a passing interest; she is a budding entrepreneur in the hospitality space. She owns a restaurant in her hometown of Sangli named SM18 Cafe Lounge. The cafe, managed by her family, is named after her initials and famous jersey number, blending her identity with her love for food. She is a self-proclaimed foodie, with a particular weakness for the bhel from a famous local spot in Sangli.
