Smriti Mandhana confirms message from MS Dhoni after World Cup win
Mandhana received congratulations from Dhoni after India's first Women's ODI World Cup title.
Smriti Mandhana said she was very happy to receive a WhatsApp message from MS Dhoni after India's 2025 Women's ODI World Cup win. Dhoni said he messaged Mandhana because he did not know other squad members personally and asked her to convey congratulations to the entire team. Mandhana confirmed she already had Dhoni's number saved. India defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup final, securing the country's first title in the tournament's history. Dhoni said the win could influence how young girls view cricket as a profession.
CricHubb Take
The message from Dhoni to Mandhana shows how a single senior figure can still shape perceptions of the women's game even after stepping away from day-to-day involvement.