In an unexpected development, Indian women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur was not selected during the draft for the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 10 held on Sunday, September 1. Harmanpreet Kaur, recognized for her remarkable skills and leadership—having previously led her team to a Women’s Premier League victory—was notably left without a franchise.
Despite the surprising exclusion of Harmanpreet, the draft was marked by an unprecedented inclusion of six Indian players. This sets a new high for the number of Indian participants in the league, underscoring the growing appeal and caliber of Indian women’s cricket on the global stage.
Among those chosen, Smriti Mandhana was a standout. She was pre-signed by the Adelaide Strikers and subsequently picked up by the same franchise. Mandhana’s inclusion was highly anticipated given her impressive track record and valuable experience. Another all-rounder, Deepti Sharma, was snapped up by Melbourne Stars. Sharma’s multifaceted skill set makes her a valuable addition to the Stars’ roster. Jemimah Rodrigues, known for her dynamic and consistent performances, joined the Brisbane Heat, adding depth and versatility to the team’s batting lineup.
Rodrigues won’t be the sole Indian in Brisbane’s camp; experienced pacer Shikha Pandey has also been secured by the Brisbane Heat. Their combined presence is expected to have a significant impact on the team’s performance this season. Furthermore, Hemalatha Dayalan has been picked by Perth Scorchers, while wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia has been signed by Melbourne Stars. These additions illustrate the broad talent pool of Indian women’s cricket and the international demand for these players.
Although the high number of Indian players selected is a cause for celebration, the exclusion of Harmanpreet Kaur was a notable surprise. Kaur’s performance history and leadership skills had made her a significant figure in prior drafts. Alongside her, players Shreyanka Patil and Radha Yadav also went unselected this year—puzzling omissions given their talents and previous contributions in international tournaments.
The WBBL draft saw different players matched with franchises over four rounds, bringing together a combination of retained players, pre-signed stars, and freshly picked talents.
. Here’s a comprehensive look at the players chosen during the draft:
First-round picks were diverse and robust: Melbourne Stars secured Deepti Sharma; Brisbane Heat opted for Jemimah Rodrigues; Danielle Wyatt went to Hobart Hurricanes; Sydney Sixers retained Sophie Ecclestone; Sydney Thunder held onto Heather Knight; Laura Wolvaardt was a retained player for Adelaide Strikers; Melbourne Renegades picked Deandra Dottin, and Perth Scorchers pre-signed Sophie Devine.
In the second round, Hobart Hurricanes went with Chloe Tryon; Sydney Sixers added Amelia Kerr; Melbourne Renegades picked up Hayley Matthews; Melbourne Stars secured Marizanne Kapp; Sydney Thunder brought in Shabnim Ismail. Adelaide Strikers passed on making a pick in this round. Shikha Pandey joined Brisbane Heat, making her another significant Indian acquisition. Amy Jones was retained by Perth Scorchers.
Third-round picks saw Hemalatha Dayalan join Perth Scorchers; Brisbane Heat passed in this round. Alice Capsey was picked by Melbourne Renegades; Sydney Thunder pre-signed Chamari Athapaththu. Yastika Bhatia joined Melbourne Stars, further bolstering their lineup. Smriti Mandhana, as previously mentioned, was pre-signed by Adelaide Strikers. Sydney Sixers passed on their pick, while Hobart Hurricanes pre-signed Lizelle Lee.
The fourth round had fewer selections: Hobart Hurricanes passed, Sydney Sixers picked Hollie Armitage, Orla Prendergast joined Adelaide Strikers, Melbourne Stars passed. Sydney Thunder added Georgia Adams. Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers both passed on making selections in this final round.
The new WBBL season is scheduled to commence on October 27, with the Adelaide Strikers facing off against Brisbane Heat. The tournament is planned to feature a total of 43 matchups, culminating in the final showdown set for December 1. The upcoming season promises fresh excitement and fierce competition as fans and analysts alike look forward to witnessing how the record number of Indian additions perform on this grand international stage. All eyes will be on these trailblazing players as they seek to make their mark in women’s cricket globally.
