Cricketers Smriti Mandhana and Ishan Kishan recently appeared on the TV quiz show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati', where the women's cricket sensation revealed the reason why she chose cricket as her profession.

Notably, both the Indian cricketers did really well in the KBC and won a prize of Rs 12.5 lakh. They chose to quit at the 13th question for Rs 25 lakh since they were unsure of the answer.

Well, according to Mandhana, it was her father's unfulfilled dream of playing cricket due to his job that inspired her to pursue the sport. She further said that cricket has been part of her life since childhood, and her family’s love for the game influenced her to take up the sport.

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Smriti Mandhana was quoted as saying on the KBC: “When my father and brothers were kids, they loved playing cricket. Sadly, my father couldn’t pursue cricket as a job. That’s why he wished for both of his children to play cricket, hoping that one of us would get the chance to represent India. So, I’ve been hearing about cricket since I was small, maybe even when I was still in my mom’s womb.”

Mandhana revealed that she is naturally right-handed, but learned to bat left-handed by observing her left-handed brother in the practice nets.

She revealed, “I used to go to practice sessions and help my brother by picking up balls. I learned to bat by standing behind him in the practice nets. Even though I am naturally right-handed, my brother is left-handed, so I learned to bat with my left hand by watching him. I stood behind him and observed, and that’s how my cricket journey began.”

Notably, Mandhana will be soon seen in action in the ODI and T20I series against Australia Women.

(India Today inputs)