Smriti Mandhana sat alone in one corner of the Indian dugout as her team crumbled against England on Sunday, October 19. As the rest of the country prepared to celebrate the festival of lights, the Indian dressing room stayed quiet — a certain darkness lingering in the air.
Mandhana, who faced a difficult post-match press conference, was hard on herself. She blamed her own shot for triggering the collapse, admitting that her dismissal came at a pivotal moment in the game and may have shifted the momentum.
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The mood in the Indian women’s team stands in stark contrast to the celebrations the men’s team enjoyed during the 2023 ODI World Cup. Back then, the Indian men were seen celebrating Diwali in traditional wear, surrounded by their families and glowing with confidence.
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