These two Indian cricketers, Smriti Mandhana and Shreyanka Patil, form an integral part of the India Women’s team and Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women; despite being six years apart in age, they share a very special bond that goes beyond the playing field. Their friendship and mutual understanding reflect through their on-field chemistry and off-field camaraderie, delighting the fans with their playful interactions.
On the 31st of July, as Shreyanka turned 22, Mandhana took to social media to wish the young friend a happy birthday but did so in a rather great, humorous, touching way. As usual, the post went viral and got a lot of people talking, leaving many fans amused as the comment section was filled with cheeky replies.
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Mandhana posted a video on her official Instagram account in which she was seen pranking Shreyanka. In the video, Mandhana instructed Shreyanka to pick up something from a cupboard in their hotel room as she was preparing for an event. The moment Shreyanka opened the wardrobe, she got a loud roar, upon which she collapsed due to shock. Mandhana, at the other end, was in fits of laughter as it seemed the prank worked really well and the reaction of Shreyanka was absolutely priceless.
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The caption to the post revealed that prank footage was captured a few days before Shreyanka’s birthday and Mandhana extended warm wishes for a wonderful year ahead to her dear friend.
The latest, in this regard, is the finger injury that Shreyanka sustained in the game of Women’s Asia Cup 2024, Women against Pakistan Women. Despite the injury, her performance was riveting, including her stunner in three-point-two with 2/14. This very injury had ruled her out for the remaining games. Even in her absence, the Indian team managed to reach the finals but lost to the hosts, Sri Lanka.
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Mandhana’s prank and heartfelt birthday wish to Shreyanka are another example of the bonding and camaraderie that the two cricketers have built up. The duo carries on the motivation with fans beside them both on and off the field, entertaining many with friendship, symbolizing an epitome of why creating good relationships in a team helps a team to prosper in sports.