In 2022, Deandra Dottin shocked the cricketing world with her abrupt retirement, citing concerns about the team environment. The announcement marked the end of an illustrious international career—or so it seemed. More than two years later, the explosive all-rounder is back, reigniting her passion for cricket and proving her mettle on the global stage.
Dottin’s transformative journey began in Canada, where she sought a fresh start away from the pressures of elite cricket. Immersed in a new environment, she found solace in recreational weekend cricket with players who were unaware of her iconic status. This casual return to the sport rekindled her love for the game and paved the way for a stunning comeback.
Her retirement announcement in August 2022 was followed by a major disappointment just six months later. Dottin, one of the marquee overseas picks in the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL), was signed by Gujarat Giants for INR 60 lakh. However, she was controversially withdrawn from the squad days before the tournament, with the franchise citing her recovery from a “medical situation,” while Dottin publicly disputed these claims.
The subsequent WPL auction in December 2023 brought more heartbreak when Dottin, placed in the highest salary bracket of INR 50 lakh, went unsold. It was a bitter pill to swallow, compounding the frustration of her exclusion from the first season. Yet, instead of giving up, Dottin channeled this setback into motivation.
Her resurgence began with the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) in August 2024. Leading the Trinbago Knight Riders, Dottin emerged as one of the tournament’s top five run-scorers, amassing 119 runs in five matches with a best of 53. While her bowling impact was limited, her leadership drove her team to the final.
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in October marked Dottin’s emphatic return to international cricket. Her blistering performances propelled the West Indies to the semi-finals, where they were eventually outclassed by champions New Zealand. Dottin scored 120 runs at a tournament-best strike rate of 162.16, hitting nine sixes—the highest of the event. Her all-round prowess shone as she also claimed five wickets, including a standout 4 for 22 in the semi-final.
In September 2024, Dottin’s reputation as a game-changer earned her a spot with the Melbourne Renegades in the Women’s Big Bash League. Her contributions were vital as the Renegades secured the championship title. Dottin’s 148 runs in 10 innings came at an incredible strike rate of 151.02, placing her among the tournament’s most explosive hitters. Additionally, she claimed 10 wickets, including a critical scalp in the final, helping her side to a narrow 7-run victory (DLS method) over the Brisbane Heat.
The ongoing West Indies tour of India in December further cemented Dottin’s comeback story. In the T20I series, she emerged as her team’s third-best batter with 77 runs at a strike rate of 171.11, including a blistering 52 off 28 balls in the opening game. She also finished as the best West Indies bowler, taking four wickets across the series.
This series also marks Dottin’s long-awaited return to the ODI format. The three-match ODI series in Vadodara from December 22 to 27 will be her first 50-over games since March 2022. This series is also West Indies’ first white-ball tour of India since 2016, adding significance to the occasion.
Adding another chapter to her extraordinary story, Dottin found herself in high demand during the WPL auction earlier this month. Confident of attracting a bidder, she was nonetheless surprised by the final outcome. “I didn’t know I would go for such a high price,” she said. The Gujarat Giants snapped her up for a staggering INR 1.7 crore (USD 200,000 approx.), nearly three times her initial price at the 2023 auction.
From rediscovering her passion in Canada to conquering some of the world’s biggest cricketing stages, Dottin’s journey is a testament to resilience, skill, and an unyielding love for the game. As she dons the maroon jersey once again, the cricketing world watches in awe, knowing that the “World Boss” is far from finished.
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