Inspired by Smriti Mandhana, supported by Richa Ghosh: Ankita Chakraborty targets Bengal T20 success
**Smriti Mandhana inspires me, Richa Ghosh always supports me: Bengal’s Ankita Chakraborty**
Adamas Howrah Warriors captain Ankita Chakraborty has credited Indian stars Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh for influencing her cricketing journey, describing Mandhana as her inspiration and Ghosh as a constant source of support as she prepares for the 2026 Bengal T20 League.
The batsman, who will lead the Adamas Howrah Warriors in the upcoming season, spoke about the players she admires the most and the role they played in shaping her career. While Mandhana’s calm personality and elegant batting have long inspired her, fellow Bengal cricketer Richa Ghosh has become someone she regularly turns to for advice and guidance.
“I like Smriti Mandhana. I like her personality and her acting style. She is very simple and calm and I really like that about her,” said Ankita.
Talking about her relationship with Ghosh, Ankita highlighted the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman’s willingness to help despite her busy international schedule.
“Richa is my close friend and very supportive. Whenever I have any problem, I can call her and she always answers whenever possible. Even though she is very busy and often travels and plays matches, she tries to help us and support us. I admire that quality in her.”
Ankita’s own cricket journey started by chance when she accompanied her brother to a local ground and caught the attention of the coach.
“I used to go to the ground with my brother. There was a cricket academy and I used to go regularly. One day the head coach noticed me and asked me if I was interested in cricket. At that time it wasn’t that I was very interested in it, I didn’t care, but he encouraged me and asked me to bring my parents to the academy. That way my journey could start playing cricket.”
She credits her family, especially her father, for teaching her the values that continue to guide her career.
“My father always talks about the three D’s of life – determination, dedication and discipline. He says that if you have these three things, along with hard work, you can be successful in life. That guidance from my parents, their love and support, was my greatest learning. That’s my everything.”
As the Bengal T20 league continues to provide opportunities for budding cricketers, Ankita believes the tournament remains an important platform for aspiring players to make it big.
“The Bengal T20 league gives us a huge platform. It is a very good opportunity, especially for players who have not played at the state level. Many players come from districts, clubs and academies. Some are just starting their cricketing journeys. These tournaments give young players more matches and more exposure. They inspire budding cricketers and give them opportunities to showcase their talent.”
She also pointed to the strong structure of cricket in Bengal as a major reason for the state’s ability to consistently produce talented players.
“Bengal has a lot of facilities, grounds and academies. There are a lot of coaching academies around Kolkata Maidan and a lot of training opportunities. There are also a lot of matches and tournaments, from second league to first league cricket. We have tournaments like the Bengal T20 League and many other competitions where players get an opportunity to perform. This exposure plays a very important role in our selection. It also helps us improve our performance.”
With Adamas Howrah Warriors set to begin their campaign against Rashmi Medinipur Wizards on June 7, Ankita is focused on leading by example and helping her side fight for the title.
“We have a very good mix of juniors and seniors in our team. All the players are cheerful, positive and determined to win matches. They work hard, support each other and play for each other. There is a very good bond in the team. If all these things are in the team, then the team automatically performs well.”
“Personally, I want to score as many runs as possible and help the team win matches. As a captain, there is a different kind of pressure because I have to look after the team and carry everyone along. Let’s hope everything goes well and the tournament goes the way we want.”
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
03 Jun 2026 20:24 IST