Smriti Mandhana has become a standout favourite with cricket fans in the same way many leading men’s players are celebrated. Beyond the popularity, there are clear cricketing reasons for her resonance: she is widely regarded as a highly accomplished batter, and when she is fluent in her strokeplay, very few—across both men’s and women’s cricket—match the elegance she brings to the crease. There is also a “special touch” to her batting that, as the comparison goes, would be enough to make the legendary West Indies great Brian Lara take pride.
Key takeaways
- Smriti Mandhana is praised for her elegant batting and the rare “touch” she shows when she is in rhythm.
- She has been a leading force as a captain since the start of the Women’s Premier League in 2023.
- RCB have lifted the WPL trophy twice during her captaincy tenure.
- Dinesh Karthik highlighted Mandhana’s leadership and clarity in decision-making, not just her batting.
- Karthik compared her leadership style to MS Dhoni, calling it a major compliment.
- Mandhana, a key member of India’s World Cup-winning side last year, was named in India’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in England.
Mandhana’s captaincy and RCB’s rise
Mandhana’s impact is not limited to her performances with the bat. She has also been the face of leadership for Royal Challengers Bangalore from the very first season of the Women’s Premier League, which began in 2023. In the four years since the league’s launch, RCB have won the title twice under her tenure. The contrast is especially striking when her captaincy is compared with the earlier RCB era associated with Virat Kohli, where it took 18 years for the franchise to achieve that kind of trophy success, with Rajat Patidar playing a role described as more “lesser-known” in inspiring that journey.
Karthik’s praise: leadership first, Dhoni-style freedom
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik offered his endorsement of the left-handed batter, and the focus of his praise was her ability to lead. He pointed to how Mandhana presents herself with purpose and how clearly she understands what is happening in the match. Karthik described her as someone who “knows what she is doing” and has an intuitive grasp of situations, which helps her guide the team effectively.
He then underlined what he called the highest level of leadership compliment—one that extends beyond Mandhana alone. Karthik said Mandhana gives her teammates the space to play their natural game, allowing them to execute plans without unnecessary constraints. At the same time, if doubts surface or clarity is needed, she is there to support and steer the side. He added that the last person he had heard with a similar trait was MS Dhoni, and he described the comparison as being delivered “very graciously.”
International milestones and T20 World Cup call-up
Mandhana has close to 300 international appearances, and she was also an important member of the India squad that won the World Cup last year for the first time ever. With her experience and leadership role now firmly established, the 29-year-old has received another major opportunity: she was named in India’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in England. The tournament is set to begin in June, and Karthik’s comments are expected to add even more motivation as she heads into the contest.
