Adelaide33 minutes ago
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The pair of Smriti Mandhana and coach Luke Williams will work together once again. This pair made RCB the champion.
Indian opener Smriti Mandhana will be seen playing for defending champion Adelaide Strikers in this season of the Women’s Big Bash League. She has signed a pre-draft overseason contract with the franchise. She has become the first Indian player to do so. Apart from Mandhana, captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemima Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma have also been included in the draft.
28-year-old Mandhana will be seen playing for the fourth team in the 10-year history of the league. Earlier, Mandhana has been a part of Brisbane Heat in 2016, Hobart Hurricanes in 2018-19, Sydney Thunders in 2021.
India’s vice-captain Mandhana was not a part of the league in 2023. She had decided not to participate in the league due to workload management and domestic cricket. The current season of the league is starting from September 1.
Mandhana is associated with the fourth franchise of the Australian league.
Will work with coach Luke Williams once again
Mandhana, who won the second Rachel Heyhoe-Flint Award after Alice Perry, will once again join Royal Challengers Bangalore coach Luke Williams. The pair of Mandhana and Williams won the Women’s Premier League title last year. Bangalore won the first title by defeating Delhi Capitals by 8 wickets. The pair has worked together in The Hundred.
RCB defeated DC to win the Women’s Premier League 2023 title.
Mandhana said- I am looking forward to playing in Australia
After joining the Strikers, Mandhana said, “I always look forward to playing in Australia and am excited about the opportunity to contribute to a team with a history of success like the Strikers.” She said- “I am thrilled to continue working with Luke. Our past experiences have been very beneficial and I am looking forward to taking it further.”
Australian coach Luke Williams is also the coach of Indian franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Luke said- Mandhana is an extraordinary talent
Here, Adelaide Strikers coach Luke Williams said, “She has extraordinary talent and we are thrilled to welcome her to the Strikers.” He said that her technique, experience and strategy are important for us. I know first-hand her dedication and energy in the team and on the field. Her specialization and leadership will be important for the franchise this season.