Virat Kohli and Smriti Mandhana. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Star India cricketer, Smriti Mandhana named Virat Kohli as her no-brainer favourite batter from the Indian men’s team. Mandhana is currently preparing for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to begin on October 3 in the United Arab Emirates.
Mandhana has been a key player of the Women in Blue. Her ability to anchor innings or accelerate when needed has made her an invaluable asset to the squad. She spoke about the mental approach she learnt from Kohli which has helped her in her game.
In a video shared by Star Sports on their official X handle, Mandhana opened up about her interactions with Kohli.
“Virat Kohli is my favourite. I did ask him a lot of things about batting. I really wanted to know what his mindset is, and I have a problem of my grip keeping on changing a bit like after every tour, so I asked him about it. And about the mindset as well. We all ask that,” she said.
18 🤝🏻 18#TeamIndia women’s star batter @mandhana_smriti shares her admiration for KING KOHLI as she tags him as her favourite cricketer! 🙌🏻
Watch her 👉🏻 #WomensWorldCupOnStar | INDW v NZW | 4th OCT 7.30 PM onwards only on Star Sports Network pic.twitter.com/ivEgFYQZnK
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 9, 2024
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I was in a better mindset after speaking to him: Smriti Mandhana
Both cricketers represent Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their respective T20 leagues, Mandhana in the Women’s Premier League, and Kohli in the Indian Premier League. Their roles as influential figures in Indian cricket have inspired fans across the globe.
“How do you carry all these expectations because he has so much of expectations and he just said that I don’t look at him as expectations. I just do what my team wants, so that was something we have somewhere that in me, but it never comes out. It never comes out in our performances. But after hearing it from him. I thought, I was in a better mindset,” she added.
Also read: India announce squad for Women’s T20 World Cup 2024
With Mandhana preparing for the ICC tournament, Kohli will be next seen in action in the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, starting on September 19.