Players’ Captain: Inside Smriti Mandhana’s Vision as India’s Captain

As India’s newly appointed captain, Smriti Mandhana has one simple mantra: “I am a player’s captain.” Mandhana, who took over from Harmanpreet Kaur, will be in the limelight when she begins her full-time leadership journey in the T20I series against Zimbabwe. She has led India before but only as a substitute whenever Harmanpreet was unavailable.

The first T20I is scheduled to take place in Raipur on Friday. In addition to the result, the focus will be on the how Mandhana sets the tone at the start of her captaincy. Being a leader can put you at the top of the hierarchy, but it also means putting yourself last and putting the needs of your team and players first. Mandhana understands this responsibility. Smriti Mandhana wants to build a team where every player leads. (Photo: Reuters)

“As a leader, even if you are the first on the list, in a way you are always the last. Whatever the people or the players need, you are the one who always helps them, takes the calls on the field and is there for everyone,” Mandhana said in a video on BCCI Women.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR PLAYERS

It has been 13 years since Mandhana made her debut in India. Over time, she has matured as a person and a cricketer, with her success reflecting that growth. He believes that giving players the freedom to make mistakes and grow in their roles will not only help them perform better, but also benefit the team as a whole.

“I understand the players a lot better now than I did a few years ago. I used to think that everyone approached and thought about the game the same way I did. Of course, eventually you realize that everyone has a different intention and a different way of doing things.”

“You have to let them grow in their own roles, make their own mistakes and understand how and where to get the best out of the team, as well as when and what to say. All these things definitely changed me a lot,” said Mandhana.

HOW WPL HELPED MANDHANA GROW

Mandhana also credited the Women’s Premier League (WPL) for helping her develop as a captain. In their inaugural season in 2023, Royal Challengers Bengaluru got off to a disastrous start, losing their first five matches before crashing out of the tournament. Mandhana also struggled with the bat, scoring just 149 runs at an average of around 18. It was nowhere near the start she would have hoped for as RCB captain. Smriti won two WPL titles with RCB as captain. (Photo: PTI)

Three years later, Mandhana has two WPL titles to her credit. She also holds the record for the highest individual score in a WPL final, smashing 87 off just 41 balls against Delhi Capitals earlier this year.

“The WPL has played a huge role in helping me grow as a leader. It has taught me how to build a team, plan auctions and identify the kind of players we need and the brand of cricket we want to play in the following season. I feel the WPL has taught me the importance of having a clear vision and sticking to it, while also making the players believe they can win any match on their own. I will obviously take all these experiences into building the team.”

CAPTAIN OF PLAYERS

Mandhana starred alongside players from different generations, including Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur. Even before taking over as full-time captain, she had the opportunity to learn from some of the best leaders in Indian cricket.

The left-hander wants to give players the freedom to express themselves and encourage them to take leadership roles. At the same time, he understands the need to step up when the pressure is on, guide players when they lose their way, and help them get back on track. Smriti Mandhana believes in giving players the freedom to grow. (Photo: Reuters)

“I’m quite a calm person. I can put an arm around someone’s shoulders when needed, but there are also times when I need to tell the players how they can improve and I’ve done it my way. I like to approach things calmly, but it also depends on the game. Some games go to the end and you have to step in. I’d say I’m the player’s captain in the team, the man who wants to take the role of the leader of the team.

A WELL-OILED MACHINE

Mandhana’s first priority is to make sure everyone on the team is on the same page about what it takes to make it a better unit. He believes that India are in a good place but need to fine-tune certain aspects of their game to keep improving and become an even stronger side.

“The first thing I want to demonstrate as a leader is a high level of professionalism in how we approach everything from training and recovery to how we move things forward. That’s the biggest thing I want to build a culture around.”

“You take on this role to create a culture that is firmly in place by the time you leave. I wouldn’t say the culture isn’t there anymore; it is. I just need to fine-tune things and make it a well-oiled machine as a whole,” Mandhana said.

NO.1 IN ALL THREE FORMATS

India have established themselves as one of the powerhouses of world cricket, but Australia have remained at the top of the game thanks to their consistency over the last three decades. Mandhana wants to take India to the top of the rankings across all formats, but acknowledges that achieving this goal will require small, incremental changes. Mandhana is aiming for major titles and world cup glory. (AP photo)

“Obviously the long-term goal is to win World Cups, win major championships and become the No. 1 team in all formats. We’ve been ranked third for the last four or five years, which shows how far we’ve come from where we used to be. But ultimately, when you finish your career, you want to leave India at the top of the rankings,” Mandhana said.

“These are all long-term goals, but I’m not someone who wants to put that kind of pressure on myself right now. I’d rather focus on making smaller changes to the team in my own way that I believe will eventually lead us to that goal, rather than thinking about the bottom line all the time,” added Mandhana.

A HARD ROAD AHEAD

Over the past 13 years, Mandhana has broken records and established herself as one of the biggest names in women’s cricket. It took her four years to come into limelight and her performances helped India finish as runners-up in the Women’s ODI World Cup 2017. Since then, she never looked back and became one of the most talked about cricketers in world cricket.

But now Mandhana is facing a crucial second innings in her career. All the experience she has gathered over the years will come to the fore when she takes charge of leading India. Given the maturity she’s shown, it wouldn’t be a surprise if she settles into the role quickly.

The world loves Mandhana, the dough. He loves watching her take on bowlers all over the world and celebrate with unbridled joy after hitting an impressive knock. Now it’s time to see her in a brand new role. The captain’s success could have taken her status in Indian cricket to a whole other level.

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