Smriti Mandhana reveals MS Dhoni’s special WhatsApp message after World Cup triumph

Smriti Mandhana reveals MS Dhoni’s special WhatsApp message after World Cup triumph

MS Dhoni’s WhatsApp Message to Smriti Mandhana After India’s Historic World Cup Win

When India’s women’s cricket team lifted its maiden Women’s ODI World Cup in Navi Mumbai in 2025, the celebrations reached well beyond the players and supporters at the ground. One of the team’s most memorable messages came from former India captain MS Dhoni, who personally congratulated Smriti Mandhana and asked her to pass on his wishes to the rest of the squad.

Mandhana later revealed that Dhoni’s WhatsApp message caught her by surprise. The legendary wicketkeeper-batter is known for keeping a low profile and rarely using his phone without a specific reason. That made his note to the team feel especially thoughtful—and gave the historic victory an unexpected personal touch.

Mandhana was surprised to hear from Dhoni

Speaking at a promotional event, Mandhana recalled receiving Dhoni’s message shortly after India’s World Cup triumph. She said she knew he was not someone who spent much time on his phone, so seeing a message from him was a pleasant surprise.

“He actually did send me a message after the World Cup win. I know he doesn’t use his phone a lot. I was very happy that he used WhatsApp to congratulate all of us,” Mandhana said.

Event presenter Harsha Bhogle then asked whether she had Dhoni’s number saved. Mandhana confirmed that she did. Her answer helped explain how the message reached her, but Dhoni later clarified that there was another practical reason he contacted her: he did not have the phone numbers of the other players.

Why Dhoni chose to message Smriti Mandhana

Dhoni explained that he wanted to congratulate the entire team, not just Mandhana. Since hers was the only number he had from the World Cup-winning squad, he asked her to relay his message to her teammates.

“I didn’t know anyone else’s number from the team. I wanted the message to go through,” Dhoni said. He added that he had recently taken part in a commercial shoot and then decided to contact Mandhana, asking her to wish everyone in the team on his behalf.

The exchange reflected Dhoni’s understated style: a brief, direct message with a clear purpose. It also highlighted the respect the former men’s captain has for the women’s team and the achievement they had just secured. Rather than making a public spectacle of his congratulations, he reached out privately and trusted Mandhana to share the moment with the group.

A landmark result for Indian women’s cricket

India’s victory was more than a major result in a single tournament. It was the country’s first Women’s ODI World Cup title, ending years of near misses and establishing a new milestone for the women’s game. In the final, played in Navi Mumbai on November 2, 2025, India defeated South Africa by 52 runs.

India posted 298 for seven before restricting South Africa to 246. The result brought the trophy to India and gave the players a defining achievement to carry into the next generation of the sport.

Dhoni described a World Cup win as a significant moment for the national side, while also pointing to its influence beyond the scoreboard. He said the title could change how Indian women’s cricket moves forward—not only because the team had won a major trophy, but because its players could help shape how young girls see cricket and the possibility of pursuing it professionally.

Why the win matters beyond the final

Major sporting victories can alter public expectations. A World Cup title gives young players visible role models, strengthens interest in the women’s game and creates fresh opportunities for participation and support. Dhoni’s comments focused on this wider impact: the champions had opened a door for future players by demonstrating what an Indian women’s team could achieve on the world stage.

The success may also encourage more families, schools and clubs to take girls’ cricket seriously. Greater visibility can help build pathways from grassroots participation to elite competition, while inspiring broadcasters, sponsors and administrators to invest in the game. These changes do not happen overnight, but landmark victories can provide the momentum needed to accelerate them.

For the players, the title was the reward for years of preparation and competition. For supporters, it was a moment to celebrate a team that had reached the top. And for aspiring cricketers, it offered a powerful prediction of what could be possible: a future in which representing India and winning world titles are realistic ambitions for women across the country.

A small message with a lasting meaning

Dhoni’s WhatsApp note was brief, but the story behind it resonated because it connected two generations of Indian cricket. Mandhana’s surprise, Dhoni’s practical explanation and his appreciation of the team’s achievement added a personal dimension to a historic sporting moment.

India’s maiden Women’s ODI World Cup victory will be remembered for the performance that secured the trophy. It will also be remembered for what it represented: progress, opportunity and a new source of inspiration for the next generation. Dhoni’s message captured that significance in a simple way—congratulating the champions and recognising that their success could help shape the future of Indian cricket.

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