In a surprising turn of events, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur was not picked in the draft for the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 10, held on Sunday, September 1. Harmanpreet, a highly celebrated Women’s Premier League-winning captain, was one of the more notable names that remained without a team by the end of the draft process.
Despite this shocking omission, a record number of six Indian players were successfully drafted into various teams for this season, further highlighting the growing influence and talent pool of Indian women in the global cricketing arena. This is the first time that six Indian women have been selected to play in a single season of the WBBL.
Among the headliners is Smriti Mandhana, who was pre-signed by Adelaide Strikers and will be a part of their squad for the season. Known for her hard-hitting ability and consistency with the bat, Mandhana’s inclusion is expected to bolster Adelaide’s squad significantly. Another key player, Deepti Sharma, an all-rounder hailed for her versatility and competency in both batting and bowling, was picked by Melbourne Stars.
Jemimah Rodrigues, a crowd favorite known for her energetic style of play and solid batting performances, has been signed by Brisbane Heat. She’s not joining the Heat alone; bowler Shikha Pandey has also been added to Brisbane’s roster.
. Hemalatha Dayalan, another skillful player, will be seen donning the colors of the Perth Scorchers, while Yastika Bhatia, a promising wicketkeeper-batsman, has been picked by Melbourne Stars.
However, not all Indian prospects saw successful drafts. Alongside Harmanpreet, Shreyanka Patil, and Radha Yadav were the other notable Indian players who were not picked up during the drafting process, raising eyebrows and sparking discussions among cricket enthusiasts and analysts alike.
Below is a comprehensive breakdown of all player picks during the four-round WBBL draft:
**First-round picks**:
– Deepti Sharma – Melbourne Stars
– Jemimah Rodrigues – Brisbane Heat
– Danielle Wyatt – Hobart Hurricanes
– Sophie Ecclestone – Sydney Sixers (Retention)
– Heather Knight – Sydney Thunder (Retention)
– Laura Wolvaardt – Adelaide Strikers (Retention)
– Deandra Dottin – Melbourne Renegades
– Sophie Devine – Perth Scorchers (pre-signed player)
**Second-round picks**:
– Chloe Tryon – Hobart Hurricanes
– Amelia Kerr – Sydney Sixers
– Hayley Matthews – Melbourne Renegades
– Marizanne Kapp – Melbourne Stars
– Shabnim Ismail – Sydney Thunder
– Passed – Adelaide Strikers
– Shikha Pandey – Brisbane Heat
– Amy Jones – Perth Scorchers (Retention)
**Third-round picks**:
– Hemalatha Dayalan – Perth Scorchers
– Passed – Brisbane Heat
– Alice Capsey – Melbourne Renegades
– Chamari Athapaththu – Sydney Thunder (pre-signed player)
– Yastika Bhatia – Melbourne Stars
– Smriti Mandhana – Adelaide Strikers (pre-signed player)
– Passed – Sydney Sixers
– Lizelle Lee – Hobart Hurricanes (pre-signed player)
**Fourth-round picks**:
– Passed – Hobart Hurricanes
– Hollie Armitage – Sydney Sixers
– Orla Prendergast – Adelaide Strikers
– Passed – Melbourne Stars
– Georgia Adams – Sydney Thunder
– Passed – Melbourne Renegades
– Nadine de Klerk – Brisbane Heat
– Passed – Perth Scorchers
The excitement for the women’s tournament is palpable as it is slated to commence on October 27, featuring an inaugural match between Adelaide Strikers and Brisbane Heat. The season promises to be action-packed with a total of 43 games scheduled, culminating in a grand final on December 1.
This season’s WBBL promises not just exhilarating cricket but also groundbreaking moments for Indian women’s cricket, with these six trailblazers ready to make their mark on one of the most competitive leagues in the sport. The exclusion of prominent names like Harmanpreet Kaur, however, will remain a talking point as fans and analysts alike ponder the strategic decisions made during the draft. Understanding the dynamics of these selections and performances will be key as the tournament progresses.
With such a varied mix of talent and an array of international stars gearing up, WBBL 10 is set to be a landmark event in women’s cricket.
