Australia's domestic T20 cricket league, Women's Big Bash will see two Indian players play in the next season. Indian players, Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma have been signed by Syndey Thunder as a replacement for English players, Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont.
Mandhana had previously played in the WBBL for Hobart Hurricanes and Brisbane Heat, while Deepti will be making her debut in the women's league. Although she had played in the recently concluded 'The Hundred'. Deepti picked 10 wickets in that tournament.
Mandhana starred for India against Australia on Saturday in a nail-bitting thriller. She scored 86 from 94 balls. Sydney Thunders coach Trevor Griffin told about the signing on the club's website.“She’s world-class,” said Griffin, while talking about Mandhana. “Smriti is an opening batter who has the tremendous ability to take everything in her stride," he added.
Griffin feels that the addition of Mandhana and Deepti will boost Sydney's chances to defend their title.
Mandhana was excited to get selected for an Australian franchisee. She said, “I like it, it always helps,” said the 25-year-old of the demands. “Playing in overseas leagues gives you a lot of experience, especially in the T20 format."
“Then, of course, you exchange so much experience with each other... with all the players from over the world... so you get to learn a lot," said Mandhana.
“This is my first time [in the WBBL], so I’m excited,” she said. “I’ve had offers before, but I couldn’t play at the time because at the time we had [an international] series.
“It’s a big thing for Indian women’s cricket that we have the opportunity to play in the WBBL. We have to express ourselves in the competition," said Deepti Sharma on Sydney Thunders' website.