Swashbuckling India opener as well as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Smriti Mandhana did not stop saying that she does not like being compared to legendary Virat Kohli. On Sunday, March 17, Mandhana helped the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) win their Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 title as well.

However, RCB defeated Meg Lanning’s Delhi Capitals (DC) by 8 wickets at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. After RCB’s win, fans started talking about whether Virat Kohli could win the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 trophy. Meanwhile, Mandhana called Kohli an ‘inspiration’ and applauded him for scaling greater heights in his career over the last 16 years as well.

Smriti Mandhana led RCB to their maiden WPL title win

“Title is one thing, but the other No.18 has achieved a lot for India and that is a big thing. So, I don’t think the comparison is right in terms of where my career is and what he has already achieved,” Smriti Mandhana told the reporters.

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“I don’t like being compared because what he has achieved has been great; he has been an inspirational person. The title doesn’t define a lot of things. We all respect him and I feel like the respect in Indian cricket has to be right up there for Virat,” she again said.

‘Jersey number is just a personal choice’ – Smriti Mandhana

However, both Virat Kohli and Smriti Mandhana wear Jersey No.18. Earlier on RCB Bold Diaries, Mandhana shared why she dons No.18 on her back. She said that jersey numbers don’t define the style of cricket she and Kohli play as well.

“So, there’s nothing different for me. I would not really term it as 18 and 18. Jersey number is just a personal choice, and it doesn’t define how he plays his cricket and how I play mine,” she concluded.

On the other hand, Virat Kohli has reached India from London on Sunday. He is now set to play when RCB take son MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 22 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.