India will open their campaign against co-hosts Sri Lanka in Guwahati, as they begin their quest to win their first-ever World Cup. \u201cWe all have been waiting for this World Cup. A lot of things have changed for women\u2019s cricket in India since 2013 when I was a kid.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI am really excited to see how the stadiums turn out and the way they will support. The Women\u2019s Premier League (WPL) has made us immune to the loud crowd as well. Nothing can beat people cheering India at the stadiums,\u201d said Smriti on JioStar on Thursday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
She also recalled of the time when she received her first Indian jersey. \u201cI remember I was 17 when I got the India jersey in my room. I don\u2019t think I can forget it. I wore it and sent the photos to my parents and my brother. They were very emotional. Challenges are a part of who you are.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Smriti reflected on the challenges behind her quest to play for India. \u201cThe biggest challenge for me was, I was in Sangli, and not many girls used to play cricket then. A lot of times, for camps, I had to travel from Sangli to Pune, and spend 4-5 months away from home. As a 14-year old to do that, and miss out on school, it was very challenging.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Smriti further spoke about when she felt proud while wearing Indian jersey and the changes she made after the side failed to enter 2024 T20 World Cup knockouts. \u201cI think the Commonwealth semi-final against Australia was when I felt extremely proud about wearing this jersey. I think our belief has changed a lot and it only changes with what work you put behind it.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWhen the effort is there, the fight will always be there. That\u2019s one thing that has majorly changed with this team, everyone believes they are match-winners. The last T20 World Cup was something which hit me quite a lot. I thought to myself, \u2018I don\u2019t want to feel like this as an athlete in my life\u2019. Post that, a lot of fitness and nutritional changes have come into place.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India all-rounder Deepti Sharma talked about how special it is to wear the Indian jersey and how the team\u2019s mindset has evolved over a long period of time. \u201cWhenever I wear this blue jersey, I try to make every moment count in it. There are goose bumps when we line up for the national anthem.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWhen the effort is there, the fight will always be there. That\u2019s one thing that has majorly changed with this team, everyone believes they are match-winners. The last T20 World Cup was something which hit me quite a lot. I thought to myself, \u2018I don\u2019t want to feel like this as an athlete in my life\u2019. Post that, a lot of fitness and nutritional changes have come into place.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cOur mindset has changed now a bit, regardless of the team we are facing and the format. We focus on what we can pull off and always talk about positive things and apply the same on the ground. We talk to Amol sir in our practice sessions and the main thing is to try and come out of our comfort zone to plan for different situations,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n