Smriti Mandhana receives a grand welcome at home

The Indian Women’s team returned home without the World Cup trophy, but one thing they have received after coming back from England is – recognition. Most of us didn’t know who a certain Punam Raut or Smriti Mandhana was, but after the quadrennial event, they became popular. 21-year-old Mandhana has earned the status of the national crush of India for her cute smile – that is the level of popularity the young girl is enjoying, and deservedly so.

She started the tournament in style with two back to back gracious knocks of 90 and 106 against England and West Indies respectively. However, Smriti couldn’t get going thereon and mustered only 36 runs in the remaining seven games of the tournament. The left-hander’s batting style has always been compared to legends like Sourav Ganguly.

Traditional Maharashtrian welcome!

The Indian Women’s team is now spending quality time with their families before they get back to the routine and prepare for their upcoming assignments. Mandhana, who hails from Mumbai, was felicitated by her family. Pictures of her family welcoming her home with flowers and sweets have emerged on social media. There was a poster which read ‘We are proud of you Smriti’.

The opening batswoman also cut a cricket themed cake. She was in England during her birthday fifteen days ago, on July 18. In another picture, a man is seen playing the trumpet which is used for a traditional Maharashtrian welcome.

Promote the sport at grassroots level 

Indian players who represented the team have earned a lot of acknowledgement and support after their top notch show in the World Cup. However, the need of the hour is to promote it at the grassroots level, so that when the current crop of players put curtains on their career, the void is not felt. State level tournaments should be promoted and it should be ensured that there is consistent cricket for all those who take it up professionally to maintain regular employment and will help them hone their skills as well.