Smriti Mandhana became the first Indian cricketer to sign a WBBL pre-draft overseas contract, joining the Adelaide Strikers.
Smriti Mandhana has made history by becoming the first Indian cricketer to sign a Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) pre-draft overseas contract, joining the reigning champions, Adelaide Strikers, for the upcoming season.
This will be the fourth WBBL team Mandhana has represented in the competition’s decade-long history. The left-handed batter has previously played for Brisbane Heat (WBBL 2016-17), Hobart Hurricanes (WBBL 2018-19), and Sydney Thunder (WBBL 2021). Mandhana, who serves as the vice-captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, chose to skip the WBBL 2022 season to manage her workload and also opted out of the inaugural player draft for the 2023 edition, focusing instead on India’s domestic cricket season.
Mandhana, who is only the second player after Ellyse Perry to win two Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Awards, will reunite with head coach Luke Williams at the Strikers. The pair previously worked together at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where they led the team to victory in the 2024 Women’s Premier League (WPL) after a fourth-place finish in the tournament’s inaugural season. “I always look forward to playing in Australia, and I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to a team with a history of success like the Strikers. I’m thrilled to continue working with Luke. Our previous experiences together have been so rewarding, and I’m looking forward to building on that.” said Smriti.
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In addition to their success in the WPL, Mandhana and Williams have also collaborated at Southern Brave in The Hundred. Williams praised Mandhana, saying, “Smriti is an exceptional talent, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the Strikers. Her technical skill, experience, and strategic insights are a tremendous asset for us. I know firsthand the dedication and energy she brings to the team and on the field. Her expertise and leadership will be invaluable as we drive for success in the upcoming season.”
The Adelaide Strikers will begin their title defense in the WBBL 2024 curtain-raiser with a match against Brisbane Heat on October 27. Besides Mandhana, other Indian cricketers like Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma have also been nominated for the upcoming WBBL draft, scheduled for September 1.
Last Updated on August 27, 2024
