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'No One Looks At...': Smriti Mandhana Opens Up On Her Journey As 'National Crush'

Soumyajit Dutta

In a recent RCB podcast, Smriti Mandhana opened up on her transformation journey [Source: @RCBTweets/X.com]In a recent RCB podcast, Smriti Mandhana opened up on her transformation journey [Source: @RCBTweets/X.com]

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As the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 gears up for its explosive opener on February 14, a clash between defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Giants, fans are buzzing not just about cricket, but about RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana’s candid revelations in a teaser for the Bold and Beyond podcast. 

In a heartfelt conversation with host Mayanti Langer, Mandhana peeled back the layers of her journey from a “shy, unruly” girl to India’s cricket sensation and style icon, blending humour, humility, and hard truths in the podcast.

The Unlikely Rise of Smriti As The National Crush

Smriti Mandhana, who graced Vogue India’s 2022-23 cover, laughed as she recounted her transformation from an under-the-radar talent to a household name. 

RCB dropped a teaser of the 'Bold and Beyond' podcast show with Smriti Mandhana which displayed the many moods of the show within a span of 2:25 minutes. In the clip, Mayanti Langer, the host was seen asking her a few questions, one of which was about her stylish appearance.

"I think you became like the Indian sweetheart, It was all that you are batting and they slowed your eye movement and Oh my God look at how focused she is!" Langer remarked.

Mandhana’s response? A mix of disbelief and dry wit, a hallmark of her grounded persona as she quipped reflecting back on her old days when she used to wear a spectacle while playing cricket.

“When you’re that spectacle kid, no one is looking at you. I never had open hair. I was always in a ponytail. I started wearing lenses in that World Cup, and all of a sudden, the whole country was like, ‘Whoa, look at her!’ And I was like… really?”

Smriti Balancing Beauty and Boundaries

When Mayanti Langer probed how Mandhana juggles elite athleticism with her soaring brand appeal, the RCB captain delivered a punchline that left both in giggles. 

“I think I can answer that in one line... I am a Marwari,” quipped Mandhana. 

The quip, a nod to her heritage’s famed pragmatism, highlighted her knack for balancing glamour and grit without losing sight of her roots.

Away from the spotlight, Mandhana is laser-focused on RCB’s WPL campaign. She revealed seeking guidance from none other than MS Dhoni.

“I had a good chat with him, especially about leadership. We’re preparing the best we can in these remaining days and taking on the journey with absolute positivity,” Mandhana shared.

Mandhana's Explosive WPL Career

While her off-field charm captivates, Mandhana’s stats command respect. In 18 WPL matches for RCB, she has scored 449 runs at an average of 24.94 and a strike rate of 125.41, including two fifties and a top score of 80. With 62 fours and 13 sixes, she’s proven herself a cornerstone of RCB's batting lineup, a leader who walks the talk.