New Delhi, October 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
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, which highlights girls’ rights, safety, potential and leadership, while drawing attention to the barriers that continue to restrict their choices.
In her new role, Mandhana will build on her previous advocacy for equal rights and opportunities for children and young people. She will champion equal opportunities for girls to participate in sports and thrive in all aspects of life.
She will also support UNICEF India’s efforts to empower adolescent girls, promote their health and well-being, and help them realise their full potential.
“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.
Mandhana has previously supported UNICEF-ICC campaigns focusing on gender equality and life skills, along with UNICEF’s Promise to Children campaign.
UNICEF India Representative Cynthia McCaffrey said Mandhana’s journey from an aspiring young athlete to a global cricket icon showed girls what they could achieve when talent was matched with 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,” McCaffrey said.
An Arjuna Award recipient, Mandhana was appointed captain of the Indian women’s cricket team earlier this week after Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down.
She was part of the squad that won India’s first-ever ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title in 2025. In the same year, she became the first woman to score more than 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year, setting a record with five centuries in the format.
In 2026, Mandhana became 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.
FOLLOW NOW
