As the cricketing world eagerly watches the inaugural season of the Women’s Maharashtra Premier League (WMPL) unfold, much of the spotlight naturally falls on one woman, Smriti Mandhana.
Yet, for all the headlines she garners both on and off the field, Mandhana is refreshingly candid and level-headed about India’s superstar culture. With the Ratnagiri Jets set to make their mark under her astute leadership, this season promises not just thrilling cricket but also a deeper reflection on the culture that permeates Indian sports.
For decades, Indian cricket has been synonymous with its male icons, Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma are household names and idols for millions. However, as women’s cricket now surges to the fore, Mandhana and her peers are breaking new ground. The superstar culture, once reserved for the men’s game, is very much a part of women’s cricket today.
Reflecting on her early days with the Indian national team, Mandhana fondly recalls the presence of legends like Jhulan Goswami and Mithali Raj. She never felt that the crowd came solely to cheer for these seniors; rather, their support was collective and inspiring. She explains how this environment fueled her own ambitions, saying she believed, “if people are coming to support them, then ‘Wow!’, even I want to do that one day,” Mandhana said in a release by Ratnagiri Jets. This perspective highlights how admiration for established stars can motivate young players to reach new heights.
India’s relationship with cricket is passionate, bordering on obsession. Players often become larger-than-life figures, shaping not just sporting but also cultural narratives. Mandhana, now a national icon herself, acknowledges that the support her senior teammates received fueled her own dreams. What could have bred jealousy or insecurity instead sparked aspiration.
She reflects on the phenomenon of superstar culture with a balanced outlook, noting that while some may see India as a ‘player-obsessed’ country, she views it differently. Rather than a limiting culture, she sees it as a driving force for the sport. She says, “I don’t see that as a culture or something, but it also drives the sport. It is neither right nor wrong, but it’s a personal choice and depends on how you look at it.” This mature viewpoint underscores the nuanced role that stardom plays in shaping athletes and fans alike.
The debut of the Ratnagiri Jets women’s team in the WMPL is significant beyond just cricketing rivalry. It is a strong signal of Indian society’s growing appetite for women’s sports. Mandhana is thrilled at this new chapter, emphasising the importance of professional platforms for women cricketers. She observes that the league not only offers a stage but also demonstrates that women’s cricket can generate revenue, a critical factor for sustainable growth. She remarks, “For women’s cricket to have this sort of stage is amazing, and it also shows that women’s cricket can generate revenue, which is an amazing thing for women’s cricket, and people are ready to invest in it.”
Mandhana’s optimism about the future is palpable as she notes how increasing professionalism benefits grassroots players, saying, “The more professional the sports get, the more, better it will be for grassroots level cricketers.” This evolution signals a shift from mere promotion to genuine investment and audience engagement.
There’s a subtle, yet important difference between idolising superstars and being inspired by them. Mandhana’s narrative emphasises inspiration, leveraging the visibility of icons to raise the aspirations of young boys and girls, rather than letting stardom create unhealthy divides.
She sees the growing interest and investment in women’s cricket as evidence that the sport has moved beyond the need for promotion. This mindset reflects a new era where superstars serve as beacons guiding the next generation, fostering unity and growth rather than division.
As the Women’s Maharashtra Premier League is already underway, all eyes are on Ratnagiri Jets and their captain, Smriti Mandhana. But perhaps the real story lies off the pitch: it is about how Indian cricket is redefining what it means to be a superstar, moving from celebrity obsession to a culture of inspiration and opportunity.
In Smriti Mandhana, the next generation has both a role model and a teammate, someone who understands the weight of the spotlight but chooses to use it to brighten the path for others. And that, more than any six or century, might be her most enduring legacy.
