Smriti Mandhana, the dynamic opener from India, finally marked her much-anticipated debut for the Adelaide Strikers just before the twentieth match of the ongoing Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2024. Mandhana missed the initial four matches, fulfilling her commitments to the national team, but her arrival at the Strikers has only added to the excitement surrounding this season.
Mandhana’s journey in the WBBL is a story of persistence and evolution. Having previously played for three franchises—Brisbane Heat, Hobart Hurricanes, and Sydney Thunder—she now embarks on a new chapter with the reigning champions, Adelaide Strikers. The Indian star was signed under the league’s innovative overseas player pre-season signing provision, with Strikers sealing the deal ahead of the draft on Sunday.
The Indian left-hander broke new ground in 2016 by becoming only the second Indian player, after Harmanpreet Kaur, to participate in the WBBL. Her initial stint with Brisbane Heat, however, was a mixed experience. In her 12 matches, she managed just 89 runs at an average of 11.12, and her season was curtailed by a knee injury when she tore her ACL. Yet, this setback only strengthened her resolve.
Mandhana returned to the WBBL in 2018 with the Hobart Hurricanes, exhibiting her remarkable progress as a cricketer. In 13 matches, she scored 318 runs with a top score of 69 and maintained an impressive strike rate of 144.54. Mandhana sat out the 2019 and 2020 seasons but made a strong comeback with the Sydney Thunder in 2021, amassing 377 runs in 13 matches at an average of 34.27, with a career-best unbeaten 114.
On November 9th, Mandhana donned the Strikers’ blue for the first time, facing her former team Brisbane Heat. Although she managed to score just six runs, falling prey to a brilliant reflex catch by India’s Shikha Pandey, Mandhana’s wealth of experience and her reputation as one of the world’s top batters hold the promise of exceptional performances ahead.
Mandhana’s move to the Strikers reunites her with Luke Williams, her coach from the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024. Together, they ended RCB’s trophy drought earlier this year, capturing the WPL title and showcasing Mandhana’s leadership qualities on and off the field. The Strikers secured Mandhana in the silver category at a price of 65,000 Australian dollars—a true bargain for the world’s fifth-ranked batter.
Strikers captain Tahlia McGrath and Megan Schutt, two key figures in securing Mandhana’s signature, expressed their delight, “Excited is an understatement. We’ve been trying to get her for a few years now, in constant comms (with her) and her batting is just unbelievable,” said McGrath.
Megan Schutt echoed the effort it took to bring the Indian star into the Strikers fold: “Countless hours hounding her has helped.”
As the WBBL progresses, fans are eagerly awaiting Mandhana’s magic at the crease. With her international pedigree and a history of breathtaking performances, her tenure with the Strikers could well shape up to be one of the highlights of the season. Adelaide Strikers have secured a powerful asset in their quest to defend the WBBL title, and Mandhana’s arrival has undoubtedly heightened the excitement around their campaign.
(Quotes sourced from cricket.com.au)
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