UNICEF India on Sunday named Indian women’s cricket captain Smriti Mandhana as its Celebrity Advocate on the occasion of the International Day of the Girl.Through this role, she will promote equal opportunities for girls and support efforts to improve their health, well-being, education and leadership.“I am deeply honoured to join UNICEF India as a Celebrity Advocate. Growing up playing cricket taught me that every dream begins with an opportunity. With hard work, determination, and encouragement, that opportunity can turn into something extraordinary. Every child and young person deserves the chance to dream big and reach their full potential,” Mandhana said.
Focus on girls’ rights and opportunities
Mandhana has previously supported UNICEF-ICC campaigns promoting gender equality and life skills, along with UNICEF’s Promise to Children campaign. As a Celebrity Advocate, she will continue working to ensure girls have the freedom and support to learn, play and achieve their ambitions.“Smriti’s journey from an aspiring young athlete to a global cricket icon demonstrates to girls what is possible when talent meets opportunity. At a time when India is home to the world’s largest generation of children and young people, investing in girls’ rights, leadership, and wellbeing is a nation’s smartest investment. We look forward to partnering with Smriti to help ensure every girl has the opportunity to learn, play, lead, and fulfill her potential,” said UNICEF India Representative Cynthia McCaffrey.
Mandhana’s achievements in cricket
Mandhana, an Arjuna Award recipient, was appointed captain of the Indian women’s cricket team earlier this week after Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down. She was also part of the team that won India’s first-ever ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title in 2025.In the same year, Mandhana became the first woman to score more than 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year, setting a record with five centuries. In 2026, she emerged as the leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket and women’s T20 internationals.She is also the world’s top-ranked women’s ODI batter and a two-time ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year.