Smriti Mandhana shared a delightful anecdote about receiving a personal congratulatory message from MS Dhoni following India’s historic maiden ODI World Cup victory in November 2025. Speaking at a promotional event featuring the former captain, Mandhana highlighted the rarity of the gesture, noting that Dhoni is famously known for his minimal smartphone usage. “He actually did send me a message after the World Cup win. I know he does not use his phone a lot. I was very happy that he used WhatsApp to congratulate all of us,” Mandhana stated, emphasizing how significant the acknowledgment was for the team.
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The conversation took a humorous turn when host Harsha Bhogle inquired if Mandhana had Dhoni’s contact details saved. Mandhana confirmed she did, leading Dhoni to reveal the specific reason for choosing her as the direct recipient of his message. The former captain admitted that he did not have the phone numbers of any other members of the Indian women’s team saved in his device. “I did not know anyone else’s (number) from the team. I wanted the message to go through,” Dhoni explained, adding that he had just finished shooting a commercial and decided to reach out to Mandhana specifically.
Dhoni clarified that his message to Mandhana included a request for her to extend the congratulations to the entire squad, ensuring the whole team felt the support from their former captain. This transparent admission not only humanized the iconic wicketkeeper-batter but also highlighted the close-knit nature of the cricketing fraternity. The exchange served as a poignant reminder of the respect and camaraderie between generations of Indian cricket stars, capping off a celebratory period for the women’s team with a personal touch from one of the sport’s most revered figures.
Source: Yahoo Sports
