New Delhi: Making her first public appearance since ending her wedding plans with musician Palash Mucchal, Smriti Mandhana on Wednesday said her 12-year journey in international cricket has only deepened her belief that the sport is the greatest love of her life.

Speaking at the Amazon Sambhav Summit, Mandhana reflected on her long career, from her debut in 2013 to becoming a central figure in India’s recent World Cup triumph. India’s most accomplished left-handed batter said time and experience have taught her one truth – “I don't think I love anything more than cricket.”

Mandhana said wearing the national jersey continues to be her biggest source of motivation. “Wearing that Indian jersey is the motivation that drives us. You keep all your problems aside, and that thought alone helps you focus on life,” she said, adding that the desire to excel had been clear since childhood.

She recalled how her passion for batting began early. “As a kid, the madness for batting was always there. No one understood it, but in my mind, I always wanted to be called a world champion,” she said.

According to Mandhana, the recent World Cup victory felt like the culmination of years of setbacks, effort and belief. “This World Cup was the reward for the battle we fought over the years. We were waiting for it so badly. I've been playing for more than 12 years – many times things didn't go our way. We visualised it before the final, and when we finally saw it on the screen, it gave us goosebumps. It was an incredible, special moment,” she said.

She added that the presence of legends Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami at the final amplified the emotional weight of the win. “We really wanted to do it for them, badly. Seeing tears in their eyes made it feel like women's cricket itself was winning. It was a battle won for all of them,” she said.

Mandhana said the tournament reinforced two lessons that have stayed with her throughout her career. “You always start an innings at zero, no matter if you scored a hundred before. And don't play for yourself – that's what we kept reminding each other,” she said.

Her appearance at the summit marked her return to the public stage after news surfaced of her decision to call off her marriage, though she made no mention of her personal life during the event and kept her focus firmly on cricket, the game she says continues to define her. (PTI)