Smriti Mandhana

“I chose cricket as my career when I was 15 or 16 when I scored a century for Maharashtra.”

“My batting mentality is to see the ball and hit it. I don't know what bowlers see while batting.”

“My dad and brother, are my favourite people to go for with on long drives. The Sangli roads are quite empty and perfect for long drives.”

“I love long drives. But for me Sangli to Mumbai is a trip that I do every month at least when I am home. I think every 15 to 20 days, I come.”

“I'm mostly a quiet person by nature and don't like letting my emotions come out on the field.”

“When I am in my India jersey, I don't want to be looking glamorous.”

“Failure teaches you a lot more than success.”

“On the ground, I am a professional cricketer - I don't need to wear lipstick. If I want to look good, I know when to wear make-up. I do not accept it being put on my face when I am wearing the India kit.”

“I am in a frame where I want to enjoy cricket. Of course, I think about my game: how I got out, what I could have done better. But that I think for half-an-hour and that's enough.”

“I am fortunate that I come from a family that never distinguished between a boy and a girl. I had the freedom to chose my entire life and have been supported throughout by my family.”

“In the last two World Cups, I realised that when you put a lot of pressure on yourself, it does not work.”