Indian cricket sensation Smriti Mandhana has joined the Adelaide Strikers for the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) season. Mandhana becomes the first Indian player to secure a WBBL pre-draft overseas contract, marking a significant milestone in her illustrious career.

Fourth WBBL team for Smriti Mandhana

The Strikers will be the fourth team Mandhana represents in the history of the WBBL. The left-handed opener has previously played for Brisbane Heat (WBBL 2016-17), Hobart Hurricanes (WBBL 2018-19), and Sydney Thunder (WBBL 2021). Her journey through multiple teams reflects her impact and value in the tournament.

Focus on workload management

Mandhana had opted out of the WBBL 2022 season to manage her workload and skipped the inaugural player draft ahead of the 2023 edition, choosing to focus on India’s domestic cricket instead. Her return to the WBBL adds significant depth to the Strikers’ lineup for the upcoming season.

A decorated career continues to shine

Mandhana, who serves as the vice-captain of the Indian Women’s cricket team, is a highly decorated player across all formats. She holds two prestigious ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year awards, sharing this rare achievement with Australia’s Ellyse Perry. Earlier this year, Mandhana led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to victory in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024, further solidifying her status as a top-tier player.

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Reunion with coach Luke Williams

Interestingly, Mandhana will be reunited with her RCB head coach Luke Williams, who also serves as the coach of Adelaide Strikers. The two have shared success in the past, not only at RCB but also during their time together at Southern Brave in The Hundred Women. Mandhana expressed her enthusiasm about working with Williams again, stating, “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.”

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

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