“We love you Smriti…we do”: Vizag crowd sings for Smriti Mandhana – here’s the viral video
Indian women’s cricket star Smriti Mandhana was the centre of an unforgettable fan moment during the first T20I of the five-match series against Sri Lanka at Visakhapatnam’s ACA-VDCA Stadium, as supporters broke into a rousing football-style chant of “We love you Smriti, we do!”
The heartfelt tribute, captured on camera from multiple angles, has since gone viral across social media platforms.
The chant echoed around a packed stand while Mandhana was on the field, creating a rare crossover moment between football fan culture and cricket’s traditionally quieter applause.
Vizag crowd serenades Smriti Mandhana
As the chant gathered momentum, hundreds of fans could be heard singing in unison, repeating the line “We love you Smriti, we do” several times. Mandhana, clearly touched by the gesture, paused to acknowledge the crowd with a warm smile and a wave, drawing even louder cheers.
The spontaneous outpouring of affection reflected Mandhana’s immense popularity, not just as a cricketer but as one of the most recognisable faces of women’s sport in India.
The crowd making it loud and clear! Always behind Smriti Mandhana. ⭐ #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/GqAvz93P1E
— The Reverse Sweep (@trspodcastt) December 21, 2025
Short videos filmed from the stands and near the boundary rope quickly flooded Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. The clips showed fans singing in perfect rhythm while Mandhana reacted with visible appreciation, a moment that resonated strongly with viewers online.
Fan pages reshared the videos with captions celebrating Mandhana’s influence, and the footage amassed thousands of views within hours, with comments praising the atmosphere and the growing fan culture around women’s cricket in India.
Emotional night for Mandhana on multiple fronts
The viral moment came on a particularly emotional night for Mandhana. The left-hander was returning to international cricket and marked the occasion by crossing the 4,000-run milestone in T20 internationals, a landmark that further cemented her status among the game’s elite.
Her presence and performance were central to India’s strong showing, adding an extra layer of celebration to the evening and making the crowd’s tribute even more meaningful.
Also READ: Shafali Verma reveals Team India’s next big goal after their World Cup triumph
India take early lead in the T20I series against Sri Lanka
On the field, India Women made a winning start to the series, securing a 1-0 lead against Sri Lanka Women. Mandhana’s contribution with the bat played a key role in setting the tone, ensuring the night ended on a high for both player and team.
India pulled off the 122-run chase in just 14.4 overs, with Jemimah Rodrigues and captain Harmanpreet Kaur remaining unbeaten on 69 and 15, respectively.
The second contest between the two sides is scheduled at the same venue for Tuesday, December 23.
Also READ: IND-W vs SL-W: Smriti Mandhana breaks Suzie Bates’ record in T20Is
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
