Smriti Mandhana (Video grab) NEW DELHI: Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana made her first public appearance on Wednesday after calling off her wedding to musician Palash Mucchal and chose the stage at the Amazon Smbhav Summit to talk not about the turbulence in her personal life but about the unwavering force that continues to define her — cricket. Calm, composed and extremely clear about what drives her, Mandhana offered an emotional reflection on her journey, her motivation and the power of donning the Indian jersey.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!Mandhana said more than 12 years of international cricket has taught her one life-defining truth: nothing comes close to the love she feels for the sport. This belief was expressed in a dramatic passage that soon went viral. “Love of the game… I don’t think I love anything more than cricket in my life,” she said. “When you go out to bat or represent your country, there are no other thoughts. 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 leave all your problems aside because you are one of the 2 billion people representing the country. Just that thought gives you a sharp focus.”
Palak Muchhal’s silent Unfollow raises new questions as Smriti-Palaash’s wedding collapses
The remarks carried additional weight as it was Mandhana’s first public appearance since she confirmed on Sunday that her wedding had been called off. In a statement on Instagram, she asked both families for privacy while reaffirming her commitment to represent India “for as long as possible”. She stayed away from any personal references at the event, instead speaking deeply about the emotions and purpose associated with her cricketing journey.Mandhana described her childhood dream of becoming a world champion and the years of struggle that culminated in her World Cup triumph in India last month. She recalled how the team visualized the final, how the moment 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 calling off weddingShe also spoke candidly about the team’s internal dynamic, saying disagreements are healthy because they come from a shared passion for winning. 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 her: 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 just cricket but life beyond it. Her words, delivered in her first appearance since a deeply personal decision, reinforced a single message: her purpose remains unchanged and her love for the Indian jersey remains her strongest anchor.
