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Smriti Mandhana, an opener for India, has joined the Adelaide Strikers, the reigning champions, for the 2018 WBBL.
Mandhana, the pre-draft pick of the team, has played for the Sydney Thunder, Brisbane Heat, and Hobart Hurricanes in the past. This will be her fourth WBBL squad. In the 2021 Thunder season, she amassed the joint second-highest individual score in the tournament’s history with 114 not out off 64 balls against the Melbourne Renegades.
Mandhana led Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who are coached by Luke Williams, who also works with Strikers, to the WPL championship earlier this year.
“I always look forward to playing in Australia, and I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to a team with a history of success like the Strikers,” Mandhana said. “I’m thrilled to continue working with Luke. Our previous experiences together have been so rewarding, and I’m looking forward to building on that.”
Mandhana had been a target for the Strikers for a number of seasons, but in order to manage her workload last year, she chose not to be nominated for the draft. Due to an ODI series against New Zealand that begins immediately after the T20 World Cup, she is anticipated to miss the first few games. However, she will be available for the remainder of the competition, including the finals if Strikers advance in their quest for a hat-trick of championships.
“Smriti is an exceptional talent, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the Strikers,” Williams said. “Her technical skill, experience and strategic insights are a tremendous asset for us. I know firsthand the dedication and energy she brings to the team and on the field. Her expertise and leadership will be invaluable as we drive for success in the upcoming season.”
Due to their retention rights over South Africa’s skipper Laura Wolvaardt, strikers could further solidify their top order on September 1st at the draft. They would not be able to use their retention in the same round, though, if Mandhana is assigned as their first-round platinum player.
Prior to the draft, Strikers also executed a selection deal with Renegades, giving them picks 19 and 30 in exchange for 22 and 27. First round picks for strikers are 6 and 14, respectively.