India women’s cricket team vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has spoken candidly about how she manages difficult emotions and moments of sadness. The star batter revealed that when things become overwhelming, she sometimes prefers to stay alone and even cries in the bathroom. However, there is one thing she strongly dislikes—sympathy.
Mandhana, regarded as one of the leading batters in women’s cricket, explained that she does not want people to treat her differently simply because she is going through a difficult phase. For her, being seen as someone who needs pity is far more uncomfortable than dealing with sadness itself.
Smriti Mandhana Says She Prefers to Stay Quiet
During a conversation with podcaster Raj Shamani, Mandhana was asked how she understands and handles the emotion of sadness.
The Indian cricketer said that her natural response is often to become extremely quiet and withdraw into herself. She explained that she does not enjoy openly expressing her emotions or allowing others to make a big issue out of what she is going through.
Mandhana also admitted that there are times when she cries privately when emotions become too difficult to handle. But she would rather process those feelings on her own than have people around her offer sympathy.
‘I Hate Sympathy’: Mandhana Explains Her Mindset
Mandhana said she is particularly uncomfortable when people notice that she is upset and immediately start asking questions or expressing concern.
According to her, even something as simple as getting out in a cricket match can become unnecessarily emotional when people around her start treating her as though something terrible has happened.
Her approach is straightforward: she wants people to see her as a strong person who can deal with difficult situations rather than someone who needs to be comforted or pitied.
Mandhana made it clear that she does not want to be viewed as a ‘bechari’, or someone deserving of pity. She believes she is strong and wants that image to remain intact, not just in the public eye but also within herself.
Why Smriti Mandhana Avoids Discussing Family Issues
The Indian vice-captain also explained why she generally avoids speaking publicly about personal struggles and family-related matters.
Mandhana said she has chosen to live her life in a particular way and does not feel obligated to explain every difficult experience she has gone through. One of the main reasons she keeps such matters private is her discomfort with the sympathy that can follow.
Instead of allowing her personal story to define how people see her, Mandhana wants her cricket and personality to remain the focus.
She expressed her preference clearly: people should look at her as a happy person and take inspiration from her performances on the field rather than from the difficult parts of her personal journey.
Mandhana Wants Fans to Take Inspiration From Her Cricket
For Mandhana, the lessons from difficult experiences matter more than repeatedly discussing the experiences themselves.
She believes that setbacks and challenging periods are part of life. Rather than remaining stuck in the past, she prefers to learn from what has happened and concentrate on what lies ahead.
That mindset has also become an important part of her approach to cricket. Mandhana has established herself as one of India’s most dependable and influential batters, while also serving as Harmanpreet Kaur’s deputy across formats.
Her ability to separate personal emotions from her professional responsibilities has played an important role in her journey at the highest level.
A Different Side of India’s Star Batter
Mandhana’s comments offer fans a glimpse into a side of her personality that is rarely visible on the cricket field. While she is often seen as confident and composed, her words show that she also experiences sadness and emotional pressure like anyone else.
The difference lies in how she chooses to handle those emotions. Instead of seeking attention or sympathy, Mandhana prefers privacy, self-reflection and moving forward.
Her message is simple: learn from the past, remain strong in the present and focus on what comes next.