The Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2024 draft, held on September 1st, showcased the exceptional presence of Indian talent, with six players securing spots across various teams for the tournament, scheduled from October 27th to December 1st.
The selected players are Smriti Mandhana (Adelaide Strikers), Deepti Sharma (Melbourne Stars), Yastika Bhatia (Melbourne Stars), Jemimah Rodrigues (Brisbane Heat), Shikha Pandey (Brisbane Heat) and Dayalan Hemalatha (Perth Scorchers). Despite the competitive nature of the draft, which saw 19 Indian players, including prominent names like skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Women’s Premier League (WPL) purple cap winner Shreyanka Patil, nominating themselves, only a few were selected by the eight teams in the tournament. Nevertheless, those who made the cut are expected to make significant contributions to their respective squads.
Among the selected players, Smriti Mandhana, already a marquee name, was pre-signed by the Strikers. Mandhana, who has been a consistent performer on the international stage, had a tough time in The Hundred 2024 but has otherwise had an impressive year, scoring 495 runs in 14 innings at an average of 45 and a strike rate of 122. She has previously appeared in three WBBL seasons for Brisbane Heat, Hobart Hurricanes, and Sydney Thunder, where she amassed a total of 784 runs at a strike rate of 130. Her highest score in the WBBL came in 2021 when she scored an unbeaten 114 against Melbourne Renegades. Earlier this year, Mandhana, along with Strikers’ coach Luke Williams, played a crucial role in leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru to victory in the WPL 2024.
Deepti Sharma, another standout performer, had a brilliant season in The Hundred for London Spirit, where she picked up eight wickets and scored 212 runs at a strike rate of 132.5 in eight matches. Her all-round performance was instrumental in Spirit’s maiden title-winning campaign, and she even hit the winning runs in the final. Deepti, who has played 117 T20Is, scoring 1020 runs and taking 131 wickets, will join her Spirit teammate Meg Lanning at Melbourne Stars in the WBBL. Deepti previously represented Sydney Thunder in the 2021 edition of the WBBL, where she scored 211 runs and took 13 wickets from 13 matches. Her experience and versatility make her a valuable asset for the Stars.
🇮🇳 6 Indian players picked in WBBL draft 😍
Smriti Mandhana – Adelaide Strikers (pre-signed)
Dayalan Hemalatha – Perth Scorchers
Shikha Pandey – Brisbane Heat
Yastika Bhatia – Melbourne Stars
Deepti Sharma – Melbourne Stars
Jemimah Rodrigues – Brisbane Heat#CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/ww2KV8VqIZ— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) September 1, 2024
Jemimah Rodrigues, at just 24 years old, has already played 100 T20Is for India, scoring over 2000 runs. In addition to her batting, she is also a more-than-handy off-spin bowler. Rodrigues has previously represented Melbourne Renegades in 2021 and Melbourne Stars in 2022, where she played 20 matches, scoring 377 runs with a top score of 75. She recently showcased her skills in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), where she played a match-saving knock of 59 off 50 balls against Barbados Royals. In 2024, while playing for India, Rodrigues scored 151 runs from just eight innings at an impressive strike rate of 145.19. This year, she will be representing Brisbane Heat, where her dynamic batting and off-spin bowling will be key components in their campaign.
Shikha Pandey, a seasoned pacer at 35 years old, brings a wealth of experience to Brisbane Heat. She has represented India in 62 T20Is, taking 43 wickets and scoring 208 runs. In the recent WCPL, Pandey finished sixth on the list of highest run-getters, scoring 90 runs from five matches and also picking up four wickets. Her all-round abilities were also on display while playing for Delhi Capitals in the WPL, where she played 18 matches across two seasons, taking 19 wickets. Pandey’s experience and all-round capabilities are expected to strengthen both the bowling attack and the middle-order batting for Brisbane Heat.
Yastika Bhatia, the young wicketkeeper-batter from Vadodara, has quickly risen through the ranks, winning the Emerging Cricketer of the Year award in the inaugural edition of the WPL. In 18 matches at the WPL, Bhatia scored 418 runs while playing for Mumbai Indians. Her performances in the WPL and for the Indian team, where she scored a handy 36 off 29 against Bangladesh before suffering a ligament injury in her left knee in April, have made her a rising star in Indian cricket. Bhatia has been named in India’s squad for the ICC T20 World Cup, and her participation in the WBBL with Melbourne Stars will be subject to her fitness.
Dayalan Hemalatha, who made her debut for India in 2018, has had a rollercoaster career, with only seven T20Is under her belt after being dropped from the national team. However, her recall in September 2022 for India’s tour of England and her performances in the WPL and particularly in domestic cricket have revitalized her career. Representing Gujarat Giants in the WPL, Hemalatha has scored 266 runs in 15 innings at a blistering strike rate of 143.78. In 2024, she made a significant impact for India, scoring 186 runs in eight matches. Hemalatha, who also has nine wickets to her name, will be representing Perth Scorchers in the WBBL, where her explosive batting is expected to add depth to their top order.
As the WBBL 2024 kicks off on October 27 with a match between Adelaide Strikers and Brisbane Heat, the participation of these Indian players is expected to add a new dimension to the tournament. Their presence not only highlights the growing influence of Indian women cricketers on the global stage but also promises to bring exciting cricket to fans worldwide. With a mix of experienced campaigners and rising stars, these six Indian players are set to make a significant impact, and fans will be eagerly watching to see how they perform in this highly anticipated tournament.