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Smriti Mandhana opens up on her early cricket life and breaking gender stereotypes in 'gentleman's sport'
Smriti Mandhana has been one of India's consistent performers across formats. She is also the second Indian to bag a contract in a foreign league
Smriti Mandhana, 22, currently the vice-captain of the Indian Women's Cricket Team has been a shining-star across formats. In fact, she was the highest run-getter in ODI when she scored 669 runs from 12 games in 2018. Her performances also won her the BCCI honor of the Best Women's International Cricketer in June 2018. She feels that the support given by her family to follow her passion has made her the star that she is.
"I am fortunate that I come from a family that never distinguished between a boy and a girl. I had the freedom to chose my entire life and have been supported throughout by my family However, when you step out into the world it seems very different. Women are made to conform to a set behavioral pattern and I fit into none of them as I took up a sport, which is till date called a gentleman's sport despite every country having a competent women's team."
When she was just 9 years old, Smriti Mandhana got selected for the Maharashtra Under-15 state side. She started playing cricket when she was just six years old. As her father would take his brother for training, Mandhana would accompany them and watch the proceedings.
"I slowly began to develop an interest in the game. I owe my success to my family. Had it not been for my father and my brother, I would not have been so closely associated with cricket. I followed in my brother's footsteps. I used to wake up at 5 a.m, and wait for him to complete his cricket practice just so I could play the 10-15 balls pitched to me at the end. They used to be the highlight of my day and as soon as I would finish my 15 balls, I would start thinking about how I had to better myself for the next day's 15 balls."
She however feels that there are a lot of talented people taking up the sport and it really frustrating when their male counterparts reap in the rewards.
"It gets frustrating when my male counterparts are questioned about their game or performance, whereas I am fielding questions on gender stereotypes and my ability to stay committed to the game on account of my gender."
Mandhana feels, "I only see myself as a cricketer. Why should there be labels when none are required?"
Till date, Smrirti Mandhana has represented India in 2 Tests, 50 ODIs and 58 T20Is from 2013.
