Quotes from Smriti Mandhana

We need to understand that the revenue which we get is through men's cricket.

My dad and brother, are my favourite people to go for with on long drives. The Sangli roads are quite empty and perfect for long drives.

There are some days on which we have smart running sessions, which I like. A smart run is to practice running between wickets, so we run the length of the pitch. But runs that are 35-40 minutes long, I find tough.

I would suggest one to book a cab or take a bus from Birmingham and visit the coastline in Cornwall. Located in the southern part of the country, Cornwall has a coastline of over 400 miles.

Whenever I go out to bat, my only responsibility is to look at the scoreboard and think what India needs from me at this moment.

As a kid, you always dream to play at Lord's. Unfortunately, we missed playing at Lord's in 2014 as the match was washed out.

The other thing I like is spending time with my family. I keep helping mom with cooking. I guess washing utensils has become part of my daily routine and I love troubling my brother as well. It's my favourite pastime.

Responsibility makes a player better. I was made the captain of Maharashtra senior team when I was 16 or 17. I know how to take the team forward. I had been through the responsibilities.

You never know what your best is. I can't limit myself to a 60 and say it is my best. If I can chase any total and if I win matches for India, then only it would be my best.

I chose cricket as my career when I was 15 or 16 when I scored a century for Maharashtra.

More than my dream it was my family's dream that I play for India and they always supported me.

I am fortunate that I come from a family that never distinguished between a boy and a girl. I had the freedom to chose my entire life and have been supported throughout by my family.

I have been a huge fan of Sangakkara Sir, since I started watching cricket on the TV.

I am professional. If I am on the field, I am 100 per cent focused on that. Off the field, I switch off.

On the ground, I am a professional cricketer - I don't need to wear lipstick. If I want to look good, I know when to wear make-up. I do not accept it being put on my face when I am wearing the India kit.

First I wanted number seven since my roll number in school was seven. But, someone was already wearing jersey number seven. Then a BCCI manager said I should take 18 since my birthday is on 18 July. At that time, I didn't know that Virat Kohli also wears number 18.

I am a big movie buff. So, I make sure I watch two-three movies a week, not many because I don't want to get addicted.

When the team is doing well, individual performances don't count.

Failure teaches you a lot more than success.

It gets frustrating when my male counterparts are questioned about their game or performance, whereas I am fielding questions on gender stereotypes and my ability to stay committed to the game on account of my gender.

My dad used to travel for a long distance from our house for work. I wanted to gift him an automatic car, so that he does not have much stress. I was able to buy it and I was very happy.

I felt I have gifted my wicket. So more than technique, I need to work on my shot selection, I need to decide which ball to be hit, I was going for every shot.

If you get out back-to-back in T20s, it proves costly.

I followed in my brother's footsteps. I used to wake up at 5 a.m, and wait for him to complete his cricket practice just so I could play the 10-15 balls pitched to me at the end.