‘Whoa, look at her! And I was like…’: Smriti Mandhana shares her journey of becoming the Indian sweetheart

As the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 gets ready for an electrifying start on February 14, all eyes are on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Smriti Mandhana. The star batter recently shared candid insights into her journey, tracing her transformation from a shy youngster to one of India’s most celebrated cricketers.

Early beginnings of Smriti Mandhana

Born on July 18, 1996, in Mumbai, Mandhana’s passion for cricket was nurtured by her family. With both her father and brother actively involved in the sport, she was introduced to the game at a young age. By 13, she had made her senior cricket debut for Maharashtra, and at just 16, she was leading the state team. Her international career began in 2013 with a T20I debut against Bangladesh, and since then, she has become a cornerstone of the Indian women’s cricket team, admired for her aggressive stroke play and elegance at the crease.

A glimpse into Smriti’s transformation

Mandhana recently appeared on the ‘Bold and Beyond’ podcast with host Mayanti Langer Binny, offering a rare glimpse into her evolution both on and off the field.

“I think you became like the Indian sweetheart, It was all that you are batting and they slowed your eye movement and Oh my God look at how focused she is!” remarked Mayanti.

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Responding to the same, Smriti humorously recalled how she was once an unnoticed youngster who played with spectacles and always tied her hair in a ponytail. That changed dramatically when she switched to contact lenses during a World Cup, and suddenly, the nation took notice.

“When you’re that spectacle kid, no one is looking at you,” Mandhana joked. “I never had open hair. I was always in a ponytail. I started wearing lenses in that World Cup, and all of a sudden, the whole country was like, ‘Whoa, look at her!’ And I was like… really?”

How Smriti balances cricket with brand appeal?

Beyond her cricketing prowess, Mandhana has also become a style icon, even gracing Vogue India’s cover in 2022-23. When asked about juggling her growing brand appeal with her career as an elite athlete, she delivered a witty response: “I think I can answer that in one line… I am a Marwari.”

The remark was a nod to her heritage, known for its blend of business acumen and practicality, further emphasizing how she balances fame with focus.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.