25 September,2025 08:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Smriti Mandhana (Pic: X/@mandhana_smriti)
Ahead of the ODI Women's World Cup 2025, Team India Vice-Captain Smriti Mandhana said that everyone in her side believes that they are match-winners.
While speaking to JioStar, Mandhana said, "I think our belief has changed a lot and it only changes with what work you put behind it. When the effort is there, the fight will always be there".
"That's one thing that has changed with this team, everyone believes they are match-winners," she added.
In last year's T20 World Cup, the Indian women's team managed to secure two wins out of their four group stage matches. Mandhana said that the team's early exit from the series had affected her a lot. She also stated that ahead of the ODI Women's World Cup 2025 players were adapting to the fitness and nutritional changes.
"The last T20 World Cup was something which hit me quite a lot. I thought to myself, 'I don't want to feel like this as an athlete in my life'. Post that, a lot of fitness and nutritional changes have come into place," she said.
The left-hander is also excited to witness fans cheering for the home side.
"We all have been waiting for this World Cup. A lot of things have changed for women's cricket in India since 2013 when I was a kid. I am really excited to see how the stadiums turn out and the way they will support," said the 29-year-old cricketer.
"The Women's Premier League (WPL) has made us immune to the loud crowd as well. Nothing can beat people cheering India at the stadiums," she added.
The ODI Women's World Cup 2025 will kick start with the match between the Indian and the Sri Lankan sides on September 30 at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Guwahati.
The clash against Team India's arch-rivals, Pakistan, is scheduled to be played on October 5 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Sri Lanka.
The first semi-final of the tournament will be played on October 29, followed by the second semi-final on October 30.
The final of the marquee event has been scheduled to be played on November 2.
(With PTI Inputs)
