Smriti Mandhana returns to WBBL with Adelaide Strikers

Indian opener Smriti Mandhana will return to the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) after a gap of two years after signing a pre-draft deal with defending champions Adelaide Strikers on Tuesday (August 27). She will be re-uniting with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) head coach Luke Williams at the Strikers.
28-year-old Mandhana has been the mainstay of Indian batting for many years now and has played franchise cricket across the world since making her debut in the WBBL way back in 2016 with Brisbane Heat. Since then she has featured for Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Thunder in the tournament before taking a break citing workload management. 
She has also featured in the Women's Cricket Super League (Kia Super League) for Western Storm and Southern Brave in The Hundred in England before the inception of the Women's Premier League (WPL).
In the WPL 2024, Mandhana led RCB to their maiden title across gender when they beat Delhi Capitals in the final in Delhi early this year. After an indifferent first season, the Indian vice-captain was instrumental in getting Williams onboard for the second edition. 
“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. 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 said. 
Williams has already led Strikers to back-to-back titles in Australia's premier T20 competition and was also part of Brave alongside Mandhana when they went on to lift the title at The Hundred 2023. 
“Smriti is an exceptional talent, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the Strikers. Her technical skill, experience and strategic insights are a tremendous asset for us, Williams said. "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.”
The southpaw has played 38 matches in the history of WBBL and has scored 784 runs at an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 130.01. 
All the eight teams in the competition have been busy getting ready for the draft that's scheduled for Sunday (September 1). Apart from Strikers, other seven teams have also signed overseas stars like Amelia Kerr (Sydney Sixers), Chamari Athapaththu (Sydney Thunder), Lizelle Lee (Hobart Hurricanes), Hayley Matthews (Melbourne Renegades), Marizanne Kapp (Melbourne Stars), Nadine de Klerk (Brisbane Heat), Sophie Devine (Perth Scorchers) ahead of the draft. 
Adelaide Strikers will start their campaign with the match against Brisbane Heat at the Adelaide Oval on October 27.