I’m a big fan of the Hyderabadi boli: Smriti Mandhana

You were in that elevator, right?” That’s Smriti Mandhana’s first question as we meet and shake hands in a suite of a Somajiguda hotel. I nod, sheepishly. The lift was almost packed, but the operator held it up when I hollered “fourth floor, please”, rushing towards it.
As I stepped in, I saw ‘India’s latest heartthrob’ in a printed monochrome T-shirt and black tights standing right at the back, and overheard her saying she won’t be meeting Mithali Raj, her teammate and captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, since she wasn’t in town.As we hit second floor, Smriti and everyone else in the lift got off. I went up to the fourth floor where my interview was scheduled. In about 10 minutes, she was there, wearing a different T-shirt. The stylish 21-year-old southpaw, who became the youngest Indian to score a World Cup
century two months ago, was in Hyderabad with her mother, Smita, and elder brother, Shravan, just for a day for a felicitation ceremony. “Will you ask me questions about the felicitation?”
she asks innocently. “It will be about cricket and you,” I say, switching on the recorder to chat her up. Excerpts:
How has life changed after the World Cup?
It has been quite hectic. Till mid-August, we were all attending some event or the other, or doing shoots. Now I am back to rehab (she suffered an injury during the Women’s Big Bash League in Australia, forcing her to undergo surgery and intense rehab before the World Cup). It was quite hectic, but we all enjoyed it.
Post your new heartthrob-of-the-nation status, everyday life must be different. Do you get mobbed now?
Yes! Back home in Sangli (Maharashtra), 99 out of 100 people recognise me. I also got mobbed in Bangalore a couple of times and had to run for cover. Elsewhere, I have not faced that yet.
How do you react to the tag itself?
The national heartthrob tag? Well, I am a very detached person. The tag isn’t something that interests me or bothers me as such. I mostly read what’s written about me, even what trolls have to say. I laugh for 10-15 minutes and forget all about it.
What was it about this World Cup that worked for Indian women’s cricket and made a ‘cricket-crazy’ nation look beyond men’s cricket?
Women’s cricket wasn’t as televised or live streamed as much as it was this time. It also had something to do with our brand of cricket — we were posting 240-250 runs on the scoreboard in each match, and hitting fours and sixes… exactly what cricket lovers want. Plus, we were winning (laughs). Had we not been winning, I don't think people would have watched us play.
Ever wonder what it’d have been like if India had won the Cup?
We all thought about it after losing the final. But the kind of reception we were accorded on landing in India was unexpected. Despite the loss, people showered a lot of love on us. So, yeah, somewhere at the back of our minds, we thought about how people would have reacted if we had indeed won. However, we learnt a few lessons and have the experience now. I am sure that we will do better the next time we find ourselves in the same situation (a WC final).
Don’t you agree now is a good time for women’s cricket than it ever was before?
Yes, I am lucky to be part of this generation of women cricketers. Maybe, five years ago, you couldn’t tell girls to consider cricket as a career. Today, it will be legit.
You are a self-confessed fan of ex-Sri Lankan captain Kumara Sangakkara. Were there any women cricketers that you grew up idolising?
I hadn’t even watched men’s cricket till I was 14 or 15, although I started playing the game when I was four. I always enjoyed the playing part more. So, I never had a role model apart from my brother. When I started watching cricket, I was inspired by Sangakkara, (Matthew) Hayden (former Aussie batsman), because they are left-handed like me, and Sachin Tendulkar, of course.
Cricket runs in your blood — your father and brother have played a good amount of cricket. Was cricket the obvious career option for you?
It was not a career choice per se. I play cricket because I enjoy the sport. While growing up, I wasn’t even aware that a women's cricket team existed. I simply used to follow my brother to his practice sessions and got hooked to it. I never enjoyed studying as much as I enjoyed cricket. It was only after I got selected for Maharashtra that I thought of making a career out of it.
Would you say you had it slightly easier than some of your teammates, considering you got a lot of support and guidance within your family?
Everyone has a different story to tell. When you listen to each story, you will think, ‘Oh, they have gone through so much to reach this far!’ I was lucky to have my father and brother
always guiding me. But even my journey wasn’t really easy. I won’t call it a struggle, but financially, we weren’t that sound. And cricket is an expensive game. Initially, I used my brother’s equipment, but when I got selected for Maharashtra, I got my own kit.
Did you have a Plan B?
You might laugh at me, but yes, my Plan B was becoming a chef. I was interested to pursue hotel management, but my mother told me I could do that only if I study science — which is not true, by the way — because she wanted me to concentrate on cricket. I hated science, so I dropped the idea.
But even today, I harbour dreams of setting up my own restaurant. Well, we hear you are setting up a cricket academy in Sangli…
Yes, the civic authorities have presented me with a two-acre property for my practice. So, I, along with my father and brother, are turning it into an academy with top-class facilities to train young boys and girls. My coach (Anant Tambvekar) has also agreed to join me in my endeavour. The academy will be ready in about 45 days.
You have been in Hyderabad for domestic matches. What do you like about the city?
I am a big fan of the Hyderabadi boli! It is pleasant to hear people talking in the typical accent. Some of my friends, who have been living here for quite some time, have also picked it up.
What about Hyderabadi biryani?
I am not too fond of rice, so I don’t have biryani. And I don’t eat meat either.
What do you like to do when you’re not playing cricket?
I get on to video games
after my practice sessions. Plus, music and movies are where my interests lie. In fact, I am a movie freak — and that’s just Bollywood; no Hollywood films for me!
Who are your fave movie stars?
Hrithik Roshan (grins). I can’'t think of any particular actress as a favourite. Alia Bhatt, maybe, in recent times. Arijit Singh is my favourite singer.