‘Trophy ke intezaar mei’ – Fans react to Smriti Mandhana’s ‘Bangalore fans are best’ comment ahead of Women’s T20 League clash vs Delhi

Bangalore Franchise will kick off their Women’s T20 League journey against Delhi on Sunday at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. As such, Smriti Mandhana, the skipper of the Bangalore side, had a special message for all Bangalore fans. She said, “Bangalore has the best fans in the world”. Notably, the Bangalore men’s team has never won the Indian T20 League, but expectations on the women’s side are much higher based on the absolute star-studded line-up they managed at the players’ auction.

After donning the red of Bangalore, Smriti Mandhana expressed her views regarding the comparison to Virat Kohli, which has been flying around. Mandhana also wears the number 18 shirt like the former Bangalore men’s captain.

‘I don’t like this kind of comparison’ – Smriti Mandhana

“I don’t like the kind of comparison because what he (Kohli) has achieved is amazing. I just hope that I reach that level, but I’m nowhere near. What he has achieved for this franchise (Bangalore), I would like to try and do that,” Mandhana told the media in Mumbai.

Earlier, Virat Kohli, alongside the current Bangalore men’s team captain, Faf du Plessis, announced Smriti Mandhana as the captain of the women’s side. “Hi Bangalore fans, this is your No. 18 here to make a very special announcement today. Leading Bangalore for over the last decade has been a very enjoyable and memorable phase of my career. A captain isn’t just the leader of the group. He is someone who creates the culture and carries that legacy forward by earning the respect of everyone around him,” said Kohli in a video posted by the franchise.

“Now, it’s time for another No. 18 to lead a very special Bangalore team in the Women’s T20 League. Yes, we are talking about Smriti Mandhana. Go well, Smriti; you will have the support of the best team and the best fans in the world,” he added.

Mandhana is not new to captaincy. She has been the skipper for Maharashtra in domestic matches and led India in the absence of Harmanpreet Kaur. Talking about the same, she said, “With the Women’s T20 League, I think it is an amazing time for women’s cricket. Everywhere you can see how people are excited and accepted women’s cricket in India. I have led domestic teams right from my age of 16; I have led Maharashtra team and in Challengers trophy. Captaincy is not something that is very new to me. I would like to use all those experiences I have had in the league.”

Here’s how fans reacted to Mandhana’s special message: