Smriti Mandhana named UNICEF India celebrity advocate
Smriti Mandhana appointed UNICEF India celebrity advocate on International Day of the Girl.
Smriti Mandhana was named a celebrity advocate by UNICEF India on Sunday to mark the International Day of the Girl. The India batter, who was appointed national team captain earlier this week after Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down, will support efforts to empower adolescent girls and improve their health and well-being.
Mandhana said growing up playing cricket taught her that every dream begins with an opportunity. She added that every child and young person deserves the chance to dream big and reach their full potential. Sachin Tendulkar, UNICEF's Regional Ambassador for South Asia, welcomed her appointment and said she would be a brilliant voice for children's rights.
Mandhana has led India in 18 T20Is and four ODIs. She was the second-highest run-scorer at the 2025 ODI World Cup with 434 runs and became the first Indian woman to score international hundreds in all three formats.
CricHubb Take
Mandhana's elevation to full-time white-ball captain and UNICEF role creates a single public face for both on-field leadership and off-field advocacy, something the BCCI has rarely combined in one player.