The first Indian player to sign a WBBL pre-draft foreign deal is Smriti Mandhana, who will play for the defending champion Adelaide Strikers in the upcoming campaign.
Mandhana will represent Strikers for the fourth time in the competition’s ten-year history. The left-hander has previously appeared for the Brisbane Heat (WBBL 2016-17), Hobart Hurricanes (WBBL 2018-19), and Sydney Thunder (WBBL 2021). The Indian vice-captain had opted out of the WBBL 2022 due to workload management, and then opted out of the inaugural player draft ahead of the 2023 edition, preferring to play in India’s domestic season instead.
Mandhana, just the second player after Ellyse Perry to win two Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Awards, will reconnect with Luke Williams, the head coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Strikers. The duo guided RCB to the WPL 2024 title after finishing fourth in the five-team tournament’s inaugural season.
“I’ve seen firsthand the commitment and enthusiasm she gives to the squad and on the pitch. Her experience and guidance will be important as we strive for success in the next season.
The Strikers will meet the Brisbane Heat at home on October 27 in the WBBL 2024 curtain raiser, a rematch of last season’s championship.
Aside from Mandhana, India’s Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma are among the first nominees for the forthcoming WBBL draft, which is slated for September 1.
