'You take up this role to set a culture': Smriti Mandhana on the legacy she wants to leave as India captain

India's newly appointed captain Smriti Mandhana aims to elevate the team's professionalism, power-hitting, and fielding, while simultaneously cultivating a strong team culture as India commence a new era with a three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe in Raipur on Friday. This inaugural international match against Zimbabwe will provide Mandhana with an opportunity to acquaint herself with the team's dynamics before gearing up for the ICC Women's Champions Trophy 2027, to be held in India.

Mandhana emphasized her commitment to her role, stating, "I have a job to do, I have to deliver. I always say this, that though the captain's name is first on the list, you're always the last on the list in terms of keeping everyone ahead." She revealed that she had meticulously crafted a roadmap for the team during her tenure in the leadership group and now aims to implement it with a focus on professionalism, power-hitting, fielding, and establishing a strong team culture.

Mandhana expressed her desire to set a precedent for younger players, stating, "You always take up this role to leave it in a way where you set a culture for the team, for the rest of the girls to follow." She also highlighted the significance of veteran captain Harmanpreet Kaur's presence in the dressing room, particularly as several young players join the team.

Mandhana anticipated that Kaur's experience and leadership would inspire the young players, providing them with valuable lessons to learn from her approach to the game.

As India prepares for the upcoming ICC Women's Champions Trophy 2027, Mandhana emphasized the importance of the six T20I matches ahead, including the three against Zimbabwe and three against South Africa. She stated, "It's going to be extremely important to see what style of cricket you want to play, what brand of cricket you want to play, and who's fitting where."

These matches will offer valuable insights into the team's preferred cricketing style and the optimal role for each player, ultimately shaping India's performance in the Champions Trophy.