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Smriti Mandhana, a prominent batter for the India Women’s National Cricket Team, has addressed the frequent comparisons made between her and the renowned Virat Kohli. Despite sharing the same jersey number, 18, and playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in their respective leagues, Mandhana believes such comparisons are misplaced.
Regarded as the queen of Indian women’s cricket, Mandhana has dazzled audiences across all formats and is celebrated as one of the top batters in the women’s game. In contrast, Virat Kohli is heralded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time, joining the ranks of legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Viv Richards. His illustrious career and continued excellence set him apart as a cricketing icon.
The similarity in their jersey numbers and their shared passion for the game has led many fans and analysts to draw parallels between Mandhana and Kohli. Some even refer to Mandhana as the Kohli of women’s cricket, noting their similar approach and fervor for the sport.
However, Mandhana has made it clear that she prefers to avoid such comparisons. Acknowledging Kohli’s extraordinary achievements and his impact on the game, she believes that drawing comparisons between their careers is unfounded. Speaking on “Sustainable Tea with Shreya,” Mandhana emphasized that while Kohli’s accomplishments are remarkable, comparing her to him does not reflect the distinct paths and milestones each has achieved.
“Virat Kohli is a great player. What he has achieved for Indian cricket in his career is amazing. I don’t like comparisons, Don’t compare him with me just because I’m wearing a No.18 Jersey.”
Smriti Mandhana will next play in the T20 World Cup 2024.
Smriti Mandhana has been in stellar form recently, consistently amassing runs across all formats and significantly contributing to her team’s success in both white-ball and red-ball cricket. Her impressive performances have been pivotal in the team’s dominance.
Mandhana will next showcase her skills in the T20 World Cup 2024, where she aims to continue her exceptional run. Her continued brilliance could make India the frontrunners for the title.
The tournament will be held in Bangladesh from October 3rd to 20th, spanning 18 days. Ten teams will compete in 23 matches across two venues.
