Smriti Mandhana on leadership: You need 15 leaders in a team, not followers
The 30-year-old also referred to the feeling of greater accountability that captaincy brings, which can be challenging, but said leaders must accept that responsibility. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
The 30-year-old also referred to the feeling of greater accountability that captaincy brings, which can be challenging, but said leaders must accept that responsibility. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
Smriti Mandhana said leadership style and approach to supporting teammates has changed over time.
Leadership found Smriti fairly early, having led the Maharashtra senior side when she was just 16. She says she gradually figured out how to enjoy everything captaincy and senior positions within a setup come with.
“I started leading the Maharashtra team when I was 16… I think I started enjoying it, too. The preparation part, in terms of leadership, the preparation towards the game… that whole process is something which I really, really enjoy a lot,” the India opener said on Raj Shamani’s Figuring Out podcast.
The 30-year-old referred to the feeling of greater accountability that captaincy brings, which can be challenging, but said leaders must accept that responsibility.
“There is more answerability, for sure—what decisions you take, win and loss (sic). But I feel you should be able to take it in a way where, if you are accepting it, you have to take it.”
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Smriti admitted that the tactical elements of leadership greatly appealed to her.
“I really enjoy getting to the game, doing the analysis, matchups, who to bowl, what’s happening, what are the best combinations, how the wicket is looking, how’s the ground and all of those things.”
Over the years -- as vice captain of the Indian national side and as captain in the Women’s Premier League -- Smriti’s way of rallying her teammates around her and providing support and guidance has evolved.
“With the leadership roles, with WPLs and everything… you just let them be, guide them here and there. But what they do is not your responsibility.”
She admitted that there was a time when she felt responsible for solving everyone’s problems, but that strategy has changed to her believing that her teammates must be allowed to make their own decisions and learn from their mistakes.
“I am where I am because of the mistakes I made and what I learnt from them. If I protect them again and again with their mistakes, they’re never going to grow.”
She noted that protecting players from their mistakes can prevent them from growing, adding that she wants teams to have independent leaders rather than players who blindly follow others.
“You need leaders in your team. You don’t want someone who is following someone. You just want leaders, because 15 leaders in a team is great.” she said.
“It should be more in a way where they fought their own battle.”
Published on Sep 13, 2026
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