Smriti Mandhana reveals MS Dhoni’s special WhatsApp message after World Cup triumph

MS Dhoni’s WhatsApp Message to Smriti Mandhana After India’s 2025 World Cup Triumph

When India’s women lifted their maiden Women’s ODI World Cup in Navi Mumbai in 2025, congratulations poured in from across the cricketing world. One message, however, carried special meaning for captain Smriti Mandhana: a WhatsApp note from former India men’s skipper MS Dhoni, a cricket icon known for keeping his phone use to a minimum.

Mandhana later described her surprise at hearing from Dhoni after the historic victory. She knew the former wicketkeeper-batter was not someone who routinely stayed glued to his handset, making his personal message all the more memorable. The note was not only a warm gesture; it also reflected the significance of India’s achievement and the growing stature of women’s cricket in the country.

Mandhana was surprised to see Dhoni’s message

Speaking at a promotional event, Mandhana revealed that Dhoni had contacted her soon after India secured the trophy. He congratulated the team and asked her to share his wishes with the other players.

“He actually did send me a message after the World Cup win. I know he doesn’t use his phone a lot. I was very happy that he used WhatsApp to congratulate all of us,” Mandhana said.

The moment prompted event presenter Harsha Bhogle to ask whether she had saved Dhoni’s number. Mandhana confirmed that she did have his contact details. Her reaction offered a light-hearted glimpse into the personal side of a milestone that had captured the attention of Indian sports fans.

Dhoni’s reputation for being sparing with his phone has long been part of his public image. He is often described as someone who prefers to use technology only when there is a clear reason. That background made the message stand out: it was brief, direct and sent with a specific purpose—to congratulate the players who had brought India its first Women’s ODI World Cup title.

Why Dhoni chose to contact Mandhana

Dhoni later explained that Mandhana was the only member of the victorious team whose number he had. Rather than trying to contact players individually, he sent his congratulations to her and asked her to pass them on to the rest of the squad.

“I didn’t know anyone else’s number from the team. I wanted the message to go through. We had just shot a commercial before that. I thought, ‘Let me send a message to Smriti,’ and I mentioned, ‘Please wish everyone who is part of the team,’” Dhoni said.

His explanation gave the exchange a practical dimension, but the gesture still carried considerable emotional weight. The message connected two generations of Indian cricket: Dhoni, whose leadership helped define a successful era in the men’s game, and Mandhana, one of the leading figures in the rise of the women’s team.

It also showed how recognition from a respected former captain can resonate beyond a simple congratulatory note. For players who had reached the summit of international cricket after years of preparation, hearing from someone who had experienced the pressure and responsibility of winning a World Cup was a meaningful acknowledgement of their achievement.

India’s historic Women’s ODI World Cup victory

India defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the final in Navi Mumbai on November 2, 2025, to claim the country’s first Women’s ODI World Cup title. India posted 298 for seven, setting South Africa a challenging target in the championship match. The Proteas were then restricted to 246, sealing a landmark result for the hosts.

The win was more than a single match result. It marked the culmination of a campaign that demonstrated India’s depth, resilience and ability to perform under the pressure of a home World Cup. A first title also gave the team a defining achievement to build on, while offering young players a powerful example of what a career in cricket can look like.

Dhoni highlighted that wider impact when discussing the victory. He said winning a World Cup matters not only because a team brings a major trophy home, but also because the success can influence how future generations view the sport.

“It is a big thing. It changes how Indian women’s cricket moves forward. Not only the fact that you have brought a big trophy for the country. It’s the fact that these girls paved the way for future ladies and how they would look at cricket and treat it as a profession,” he said.

A result with lasting significance for women’s cricket

Dhoni’s comments pointed to the potential long-term consequences of the victory. A World Cup title can strengthen public interest, encourage participation at grassroots level and help young athletes see cricket as a viable professional path. It can also create greater momentum for investment in coaching, facilities and opportunities for women players.

For India’s current squad, the triumph established a new benchmark. Future teams will have the opportunity to draw inspiration from the players who delivered the country’s first title, while the team itself will face the challenge of sustaining the standards that made the campaign successful. The result may also shape expectations around the women’s game, with supporters increasingly looking for consistent performances on the international stage.

That is why Dhoni’s prediction about the victory changing the direction of Indian women’s cricket carries particular relevance. A trophy does not automatically transform an entire sport, but a historic win can create a moment that attracts attention and opens doors. The players’ achievement, and the visibility that followed, could help strengthen the foundations for the next generation.

A personal message that captured a national milestone

Mandhana’s account of Dhoni’s WhatsApp message added a personal detail to an already significant sporting story. His decision to contact her was simple: he had her number and wanted his congratulations to reach the whole team. Yet the exchange became memorable because it brought together a historic result, a respected former captain and the players who made history for India.

For fans, the episode offered a reminder that major sporting moments are often shaped by gestures away from the field as well as performances on it. Dhoni’s message recognised the team’s achievement, while his comments underscored the broader importance of the title. India’s 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup victory was a first for the national side—and, as Dhoni suggested, it may also help influence how young Indian women imagine their future in cricket.