I don’t like being compared because what Virat Kohli has achieved has been great: Smriti Mandhana

On Sunday, March 17, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 finals saw Royal Challengers Bangalore overcome Delhi Capitals, headed by Smriti Mandhana, to win their first-ever championship.

Mandhana has been compared to the great Virat Kohli, in addition to getting praise for her leadership and hitting abilities. Being the top run scorer in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the former captain of India has been with the Royal Challengers Bangalore since the league’s inception in 2008. From 2013 until 2021, he served as the team’s leader. But the much-coveted championship has escaped him.

The Delhi batter’s comparisons were met with displeasure by Smriti Mandhana. Her praise for Kohli’s outstanding accomplishments over the past 16 years included calling him an “inspiration.”

“Achievement is important, but the other No. 18 has made significant progress for India. The title is just one thing. As a result, I don’t think the comparison is appropriate in light of where my career is at and what he has already accomplished, Mandhana told India Today.

“I dislike comparisons since he is an inspiring individual who has accomplished amazing things. The title leaves a lot of things unclear. All of us admire him, and I believe that Virat deserves even more respect in Indian cricket,” she remarked.

Smriti Mandhana wears the same number, 18, on her shirt as Virat Kohli does.

The Southpaw stated last month that choosing a jersey number is entirely up to the individual. She claimed that the way two cricket players approach their game is unaffected by their matching jersey numbers.

Thus, I don’t see any differences. Really, I wouldn’t describe it as 18 and 18. It doesn’t determine how he plays cricket or how I play mine; jersey numbers are only a matter of personal preference, she continued.

Also read: Virat Kohli’s new look for the IPL 2024

Ahead of the 2024 IPL, Kohli has joined the RCB team. Citing personal reasons, he withdrew from the five-match Test series between India and England. Aakay Kohli, his second child, was later announced as having been born.

Last year, the 35-year-old had a fantastic season at bat, finishing as the fourth-highest run scorer with 639 runs from 14 games at an incredible average of 53.25. The Bangalore-based team, nevertheless, almost missed out on making the playoffs. ‘King Kohli’ is hoping to score runs and lead Royal Challengers Bangalore to their maiden IPL victory. They play the Chennai Super Kings, the reigning champions, at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk on Friday, March 22, to start their campaign.