As the Indian women’s cricket team enters a new chapter under the leadership of Smriti Mandhana, the star batter has moved to reassure fans and critics alike that her primary role as an anchor for the side remains her top priority. Mandhana, who officially takes charge of the national team this week, addressed the media in her first press conference since the appointment, emphasizing that the captaincy will not alter her aggressive approach at the crease.
Reflecting on her development as a cricketer, Mandhana noted that the foundations of her leadership style were laid early in her career. "Ever since I was 15 years old, my coach told me to bat with the mindset of a captain – taking full responsibility for the innings," Mandhana said. "That principle stays the same. If a ball is in my zone, I will still go after it and play according to what the team requires."
Mandhana has been a consistent pillar for the Indian batting lineup for several years. Her recent form has been particularly noteworthy; she made history last month during the Asia Cup by becoming the all-time leading run-scorer in women's international cricket. Her statistical contributions in 2025 alone amounted to 1,703 runs, and she has already added 765 runs to her tally in 2026, with upcoming series against Zimbabwe and South Africa expected to further bolster those figures.
The transition follows the tenure of former captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who stepped down from the role recently. Mandhana revealed that she had consulted with both Kaur and former captain Mithali Raj to prepare for the challenges ahead. Acknowledging Kaur’s significant contribution to the team, Mandhana described her predecessor's ongoing guidance as invaluable. The two have held constructive discussions regarding the long-term vision for Indian cricket, focusing on strategic steps required to sustain success over the coming years.
Although her appointment was confirmed shortly after Kaur’s resignation, Mandhana noted that she had been preparing for such responsibilities for nearly a decade while serving as vice-captain. Her track record as a two-time Women’s Premier League (WPL) title-winning captain also bolstered her credentials for the role. Regarding the timing of the transition, she mentioned that discussions concerning the future of the team and the approach for the next two to three years took place in meetings shortly before the public announcement.
The team faces a demanding schedule ahead, with several high-stakes international events on the horizon. While India celebrated a historic ODI World Cup victory under Kaur’s leadership, the side is looking to improve its performance in the shortest format following early exits in the 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cups. Mandhana’s primary focus will be steering the squad through the Champions Trophy next year, the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup, and the cricket tournament at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
"I have been the vice-captain for almost a decade, so being in a leadership role isn't entirely new to me," Mandhana added. "But leading the national team is a responsibility I am excited about, and I hope to do full justice to the role." She concluded by noting that while the team has shown strong performance over the past 18 months, there remains work to be done to ensure consistency across all formats as they prepare for the upcoming international calendar.
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