Indian women's cricket star Smriti Mandhana wears No. 18 on her jersey. It seems fitting given that it was also the number worn by Indian captain Virat Kohli on his jersey. Virat and Mandhana were named the ICC men's and women's Cricketers of the Year respectively.
However, the No. 18 was not the first choice for Mandhana. The Indian women's vice-captain made her debut on Chahal TV on Wednesday. Mandhana scored the fastest T20I fifty by any Indian women reaching her half-century in 24 balls. She bettered her own record of 25.
After the match, Smriti spoke to Yuzvendra Chahal who hosts this post-match segment for BCCI tv. She talked about her jersey No. 18 and revealed the number wasn't her first choice.
“I initially wanted the number 7 because that was my roll number in school. But that was not available. Then I was recommended taking the 18 number because it is also my birthday (18th July). I didn’t know then that Virat bhayya has the same number.”
MS Dhoni wears the No.7 jersey in Indian men's team. Mandhana took up No. 18 after being advised by the team manager.
"Vikas sir, our team manager, then suggested me to take 18. I only found out a couple of years ago that Virat is also playing with 18 on the back of his jersey."
You can watch the full interview here
Talking about the ICC Player of the Year award which she had won recently, Mandhana said: "I am very happy to have won the ICC Player of the Year award. When Jhulu di (Jhulan Goswami) had won it, I was a kid. I read it in newspapers. It feels nice."
