Smriti Mandhana

“The loss in the final of the 2017 World Cup really inspired me to do a lot better. I worked a lot on my batting as I didn't want to go back to that phase again.”

“It really feels good that I am in both the ODI and T20 teams. My first aim is to perform for India. And when that gets appreciated, it is a validation that you have done well.”

“Every time you are on a tour you miss Indian food.”

“More than my dream it was my family's dream that I play for India and they always supported me.”

“There are some days on which we have smart running sessions, which I like. A smart run is to practice running between wickets, so we run the length of the pitch. But runs that are 35-40 minutes long, I find tough.”

“I used to feel like not scoring runs is the worst thing in life but I started thinking: 'No, at least I'm getting to go out on the field wearing the Indian jersey.' Not many get to do that. I am lucky. Now, if I get runs or don't get runs, I'm just going out there trying to enjoy my cricket.”

“It gets frustrating when my male counterparts are questioned about their game or performance, whereas I am fielding questions on gender stereotypes and my ability to stay committed to the game on account of my gender.”

“I am a big movie buff. So, I make sure I watch two-three movies a week, not many because I don't want to get addicted.”

“Whenever we have some time to ourselves I prefer to go back to my room and hit the bed. Even while travelling on a bus, I put on my sleeping hood and take a nap.”

“I love sleeping, I can sleep for 15 hours a day.”

“The other thing I like is spending time with my family. I keep helping mom with cooking. I guess washing utensils has become part of my daily routine and I love troubling my brother as well. It's my favourite pastime.”

“I used to think, 'Everything's okay, or will be. I'll go on with this stance.' But after the World Cup, I was open to everything: if someone suggested a change in my technique I felt could work for me, I was willing to give it a try.”

“As a kid, you always dream to play at Lord's. Unfortunately, we missed playing at Lord's in 2014 as the match was washed out.”

“We need to understand that the revenue which we get is through men's cricket.”

“My brother keeps texting me about the latest Audi and BMWs that have come. He keeps suggesting I buy one of them. He does share the specifications.”

“I would suggest one to book a cab or take a bus from Birmingham and visit the coastline in Cornwall. Located in the southern part of the country, Cornwall has a coastline of over 400 miles.”

“I felt I have gifted my wicket. So more than technique, I need to work on my shot selection, I need to decide which ball to be hit, I was going for every shot.”

“First I wanted number seven since my roll number in school was seven. But, someone was already wearing jersey number seven. Then a BCCI manager said I should take 18 since my birthday is on 18 July. At that time, I didn't know that Virat Kohli also wears number 18.”

“It was nice to receive the ICC woman's cricketer of the year award because when Jhulan Goswami won the award I was very young.”

“Fearless doesn't mean careless. There is a thin line between fearless and careless. I think we need to play fearless.”