Source TOI
New Delhi — Indian women’s cricket team vice-captain Smriti Mandhana recently offered fans a rare glimpse into her personal philosophy and emotional resilience. In a candid conversation on Raj Shamani’s podcast, Figuring Out, the star batter opened up about how she processes difficult moments, revealing an incredibly practical approach to life’s challenges.
When asked about the last time she shed tears, Mandhana took a reflective pause before offering an unexpected response. “I don’t remember. You know, I cry for movies. I don’t cry for my real life,” she shared. The opening batter explained that fictional stories easily stir her emotions, citing a recent viewing of the film Mosafir Cafe that left her “happy-emotional” and brought her to tears.
However, when it comes to the trials of her actual life—including intense pressure on the field and personal struggles off it—Mandhana maintains a remarkably grounded outlook. “If you keep crying and sitting on those mistakes, I feel as what are you getting out of it? You’re not improving yourself, you’re not getting better,” she said, emphasizing that those with the drive to create change cannot afford to dwell on the past.
That isn’t to say the cricketing icon is immune to heartbreak. While she generally avoids crying over personal setbacks, Mandhana admitted that major tournament disappointments cut deep. Reflecting on grueling phases like the COVID-19 pandemic and painful World Cup exits, she noted that significant cricketing losses hurt her profoundly, even if she prefers to process that pain privately or channel it into her game.
By keeping her focus firmly on the future rather than lingering on past mistakes, Mandhana continues to cement her status not just as one of India’s most dependable run-scorers, but as a role model of mental toughness.
