Smriti Mandhana’s first public appearance after calling off her wedding: ‘once you put on the Indian jersey, you keep all your problems aside’ | WATCH | Cricket News
NEW DELHI: India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana made her first public appearance on Wednesday after calling off her marriage to musician Palash Mucchal, choosing the stage at the Amazon Smbhav Summit to speak not about the turmoil in her personal life but about the unwavering force that continues to define her: cricket. Calm, collected and extremely clear about what drives her, Mandhana offered an emotional reflection on her journey, her motivation and the power of wearing the Indian jersey.Go beyond borders with our YouTube channel. REGISTER NOW!Mandhana said more than 12 years of international cricket have taught her a truth that defines her life: nothing compares to the love she feels for the sport. This belief was manifested in a dramatic passage that quickly went viral. “The love of the game…I don’t think I love anything in life more than cricket,” she said. “When you are defending or representing your country, no other thought exists. When you put on the Indian jersey, the only thing you want to do is win the match for India. Once you put on the jersey, you keep all your problems aside because you are part of the 2 billion people who represent the country. This thought alone allows you to concentrate perfectly.
The remarks carried added weight as it was Mandhana’s first public appearance since she confirmed on Sunday that her marriage had been called off. In her statement on Instagram, she had urged privacy for both families while reaffirming her commitment to representing India “for as long as possible”. At the event, she stayed away from any personal references, instead speaking in depth about the emotion and purpose attached to her cricketing journey.Mandhana described her childhood dream of becoming a world champion and the years of struggle that culminated in India’s World Cup triumph last month. She recalled how the team had visualized the final, how watching the moment unfold gave them goosebumps and how the presence of legends Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami added a layer of emotion that made the victory a milestone for women’s cricket itself.WATCH: Smriti’s first public appearance after her marriage was called offShe also spoke candidly about the team’s internal dynamics, saying disagreements are healthy because they come from a shared passion to win. Every player, she said, has an opinion on how India can win, and it is these discussions – not arguments – that make the team stronger.Mandhana concluded by sharing the two biggest lessons cricket has taught him: every innings starts from scratch and the game is always bigger than the individual. She said playing for the person next to her – not for herself – is a value that shapes not only cricket but also life beyond. His words, spoken in his first appearance since a deeply personal decision, reinforced a single message: his goal remains unchanged and his love for the Indian jersey remains his strongest anchor.
