‘I don’t like the kind of…’ – Smriti Mandhana makes stunning statement on comparisons with Virat Kohli

Smriti Mandhana, the captain of the Bangalore franchise, was asked to make comparisons with former Indian skipper Virat Kohli as Bangalore is prepared for their season opener against the Delhi franchise in the inaugural Women’s T20 League 2023. It goes without saying that since Virat Kohli was named the captain of the Bengaluru-based team in 2013, the legend has served as the face of the Bangalore franchise.

It’s interesting to note that for Bangalore and Team India, both Mandhana and Kohli wear the same jersey number (18). It was Kohli who formally announced Mandhana as the skipper of the women’s team of the Bangalore-based franchise after Bangalore signed the Indian opener for a whopping INR 3.6 crore in the Women’s T20 League auction. Before Bangalore’s game against Delhi, Mandhana told the media in Mumbai that she wants to imitate Kohli by becoming the star player for the Bangalore team.

“I don’t like the kind of comparison because what he (Kohli) has achieved is amazing. I just hope that I reach that level, but I’m nowhere near. What he has achieved for this franchise (Bangalore), I would like to try and do that,” Mandhana was quoted as saying to reporters.

Definitely a big moment for I think all of us including all the overseas players: Smriti Mandhana

In the first-ever Women’s T20 League auction last month, India’s left-hand batter Mandhana ended up being the most costly purchase. Mandhana was a player that the Bangalore franchise had to outbid Mumbai to sign for the Women’s T20 League 2023. The  Mumbai franchise, one of the league’s top competitors, defeated Gujarat comfortably to start the Women’s T20 League’s first season.

The Mumbai Paltan, led by Indian skipper Harmanporeet Kaur, destroyed Beth Mooney’s Gujarat side by 143 runs on Saturday at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy. At the Brabourne Stadium on Sunday, Mandhana’s Bangalore will play against the Delhi franchise in the second game of the tornament. In 116 T20I games, Mandhana has scored 2802 runs for India. Moreover, the star opener has represented India in 77 One Day Internationals (ODI) and 4 Tests.

“Well yeah, definitely a big moment for I think all of us including all the overseas (players) as well because it is first ever Women’s T20 League match. We have been part of teams where we have played in pressure situations. One thing we always tell and that is the one thing that we have to go and enjoy and have each other’s back,” Mandhana asserted ahead of their fixture against Delhi