“Today, you can see me playing overseas. Next season, when overseas contracts will be given, I will definitely be playing overseas. I have applied for an overseas contract through New South Wales. My focus is now on county cricket and performing well for the team. Hopefully, if selected, I can play an IPL match for India Women,” she added.
The Indian women’s cricket vice, captain also shared her happiness when it was reported that India Women’s Team Manager, Selora Chau, had suggested that India’s upcoming overseas assignments could be used as a local teams like Gujarat and Maharashtra getting their skill levels raised.
However, the trolling that was directed at her did not remain unchallenged. Many fans, fellow sportspersons, and the sporting community, on the whole, stood by Mandhana, condemning the unfair trolling that was directed at her and reminding everyone of her stellar contributions to Indian cricket. Social media platforms got filled with the posts of support led by the fans who said that the sportsperson’s body is the representation of her strength, effort, and discipline, rather than an unachievable standard of beauty.
Many people commented that there is always double standarding observed in women’s sporting activities. There were comments asking why men’s cricket players display their presence at various gatherings without attracting similar complaints. There were also comments that Mandhana should be judged for her performances in cricket and not just pictures.
Mandhana speaks loudly through the bat she uses in cricket international. She recently broke the 4,000-run threshold in the international T20 cricket, making her the first female player in Indian cricket, and the second player from outside of India to achieve this feat. The current match with Sri Lanka, she played an important role in securing a win to India in the opening match in the T20 international series in Visakhapatnam. Another important achievement that Mandhana is close to of achieving is reaching 10,000 worldwide runs. She was a couple of minutes away from the awe-inspiring feat. The 2025 season was a success in her case, as she has performed exceptionally well in ODIs in which she played an important role in India’s first ICC Women’s World Cup triumph.
Although it is all over social media, Mandhana has chosen not to take things lying down and respond to all the trolls. Her calm and composed silence, along with the strong backing she is receiving, have ensured that the focus is again shifted where it ought to be – on the incredible talent she is as a cricketer. While India looks forward to facing upcoming challenges, such as the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2026, the presence of Smriti Mandhana in the Indian contingent is an essential backbone for the team, debunking the notion that a true legend can only exist in the minds of people on social media platforms.
