MS Dhoni asked Smriti Mandhana to pass World Cup congratulations via WhatsApp

Smriti Mandhana said at a promotional event featuring MS Dhoni that he sent her a WhatsApp message after India's Women's World Cup triumph last year asking her to pass his congratulations to the entire team. Mandhana added she was pleased because she knew Dhoni did not use his phone much and valued the gesture.

Mandhana recounted the exchange, saying, "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. Presenter Harsha Bhogle asked, "You saved the number?" and Mandhana replied, "I did have his number." Dhoni explained why he messaged her: "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. A post read: MS Dhoni personally congratulated Smriti on WhatsApp after the World Cup win and asked her to extend his congratulations to the entire team https://t.co/biBYlwRb9G— (@mostlydhoni78) October 29, 2026

India defeated South Africa by 52 runs in Navi Mumbai on November 2, 2025, to win their maiden Women's ODI World Cup title, posting 298 for seven in the first innings. Shafali Verma scored 87 and Deepti Sharma made 58 as India set the target, and Deepti then took five wickets as South Africa, despite Laura Wolvaardt's century, were bowled out for 246.

The final followed a semi-final in which India chased 339 against Australia, with Jemimah Rodrigues unbeaten on 127 and Harmanpreet Kaur making 89. India reached 341 for five to secure a five-wicket victory with nine balls to spare, which was the highest successful run chase in Women's ODI history at the time.

Reflecting on the tournament's significance, Dhoni said: "It (the World Cup triumph) 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, they paved the way for future ladies and how they would look at cricket and treat it as a profession," he said. "I feel that was a big day for Indian cricket."

A WhatsApp message may have been a small gesture from Dhoni, but the exchange underlined the wider impact of India's World Cup victory and the players' role in shaping perceptions of women's cricket as a professional pathway for future generations.