Team India's prankster-in-chief Smriti Mandhana doesn't only want to excel with bat, but also improve fitness in the Women's Big Bash League where she will play for Brisbane Heat in 2016-17 season
Smriti Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana celebrates her century in the Hobart one-day international during women's Australia tour in February 2016. Pic/Getty Images
Ever since she scored her maiden century for India against Australia in Hobart, 20-year-old Smriti Mandhana immediately drew comparisons with Virat Kohli. Now she's got another chance to make her presence felt Down Under. Mandhana, who shifted from Mumbai to Sangli when she was just two, has been signed by Brisbane Heat yesterday on a one-year deal for the second edition of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL).
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Mandhana becomes the second women cricketer to sign for the BBL after India's vice-captain after Harmanpreet Kaur signed the dotted line with defending champions Sydney Thunder in July this year. The opening left-hander, who averages a healthy 32.25 in ODIs, became an overnight star with her match-winning half-century on her Test debut against England that saw India win a historic match in August 2014.
In a freewheeling chat with mid-day yesterday, Mandhana, who will have to report at the Brisbane Heat headquarters by December 3, expresses her delight on her selection and also opens up on the depressing ICC World T20 being a learning phase in her career, the naughty prankster she is in the Indian team and setting an example to break female stereotypes in the country.
Excerpts:
Q What do you think earned you a call to play in the Women's Big Bash League? How do you see this as a step ahead in improving yourself as a cricketer?
I scored a century in Australia (109-ball 102) and in that Australian side there were players like Holly Ferling and Jess Jonassen, so I think my performance attracted them. There was also a slot open for an opener. Going to Australia will help me improve my fitness and I can learn fitness and fielding strategies from them, which is something that I can take home and impart to others as well. Australian cricketers plan differently and I want to learn what is this difference.
Q Do you know anybody in Brisbane Heat?
I've just had a formal chat with the players and the team management who congratulated me. I just know them by their names… nothing else.
Q One player you'll definitely know is your India teammate Harmanpreet Kaur, but she will be your opponent...
We've been playing for quite sometime now against each other in the domestic circuit. She used to play for the Railways and I for Maharashtra. But yes, playing in another country will be different. We were roommates during the Australia and Sri Lanka series and both of us have similar hobbies.
Q Which are?
We like playing games on our laptops, PSPs and we both love sleeping a lot.
Q Being so close, both of you are bound to share secrets during the BBL, right?
We share our secrets, but during the BBL I don't think we'll be revealing our team secrets (laughs).
Q Immediately after your century in Australia, you were compared to Virat Kohli.
I would definitely like to achieve what he has, but it's a bit too early to compare me with him.
Q After Australia, the ICC World T20 took place which was a completely different story. Do you think the episode strengthened you as a cricketer?
Definitely. Failure teaches you a lot. It taught me to never take my form for granted.
Q So what have you done during this long break after World T20?
I went back to my basics to improve my batting in particular and then my fitness and fielding. My coaches Rohan Dharwad sir and Anant Tambekar sir really helped me a lot during this period.
Q Who is your idol?
I look up to Sachin Tendulkar as a cricketer, but as a left-hander, I just loved watching Kumar Sangakkara bat. His game was based on timing and I would like to incorporate that aspect in mine too.
Q Did you always want to play club cricket? Are you happy that the BCCI now has opened the doors to women cricketers playing abroad?
I just wanted to play cricket when I was a kid. Yes, the BCCI's decision will definitely help us gain experience against foreigners and more importantly, we will be experienced to play in away conditions.
Q Taking to cricket at such a young age, do you feel you have missed out on other exciting things in life?
I don't think so. Thinking about this will only make me sad. As a kid, I just loved playing cricket.
Q Who are your closest friends in the Indian team? How does the team bond when there are hardly any tournaments at the international level?
Everyone in the team is very close. We didn't have many tournaments, but ever since the ICC introduced the Women's Championship in 2015, we have really played a lot.
Q You are known to be quite a prankster in the team?
Many people are there in the team who love to dance. I am someone who watches them and then start making fun of them (laughs).
Q Do you think female stereotypes can be broken in India where the family is predominantly patriarchal?
Yes, we are on the verge of breaking stereotypes. In every field, women are doing great. In some years, I wish to set an example for other women to look up to me.
Q Coming from Sangli, what are some of the difficulties you faced?
I never faced any difficulties. I used to get bowlers to bowl to me. In Sangli, we have all facilities like turf, matting and cement wickets. I've seen 22-25 girls playing cricket after they saw me. Earlier, I did not see anyone.
Q Would you like an IPL for women cricketers in India?
Yes, it will definitely help in bonding cricketers. The women's cricket team just needs to win some big tournaments. Then, we can attract the same attention as the men.
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