'True Spirit of the Game': Smriti Mandhana Wins a Million Hearts with Her Gesture for a Fan on Wheel-chair

India opened their Women’s Asia Cup campaign with an astounding 7-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan in Dambulla on Friday. India bundled out Pakistan for a below-par 108 after being asked to bowl and then chased down the target with as many as 35 balls remaining.

After the game, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana’s heartwarming gesture won a million hearts as she gifted a wheelchair-bound girl a mobile phone.

Adeesha Herath, who came to the stadium escorted by her mother in a wheelchair, experienced a pleasant surprise as Mandhana came to meet her and presented her with a phone.

“Adeesha Herath’s love for cricket brought her to the stadium, despite all the challenges. The highlight of her day? A surprise encounter with her favourite cricketer, Smriti Mandhana, who handed her a mobile phone as a token of appreciation,” Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in a tweet.

In the video posted along with the tweet, Mandhana was heard asking the girl her name.

“You like cricket, that is nice. You enjoyed today’s match. I have brought a gift for you from all of us,” Mandhana told the girl, before having a high-five with her and posing for a photograph.

The girl’s mother said it was an unexpected gift.

“We came to watch the match unexpectedly, as my daughter wanted to go for the match. We met Mandhana madam from the Indian team and my daughter received a phone from her. It was unexpected and my daughter is so lucky to receive this gift from her,” she said.

India beat arch-rivals Pakistan by seven wickets on Friday in their opening match. Opting to bat first, Pakistan were bowled out for 108 with experienced spinner Deepti Sharma (3/20) emerging as the most successful bowler. Renuka Singh (2/14) and Pooja Vastrakar (2/31) also chipped in with wickets at a crucial juncture to keep Pakistan on a tight leash through their innings.

In reply, India completed the chase in 14.1 overs with the opening duo of Smriti Mandhana (45) and Shafali Verma (40) putting on 85 runs in 9.1 overs.

(With PTI Inputs)