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Indian cricket star and vice-captain, Smriti Mandhana, has made the decision to forego participation in the upcoming season of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in order to prioritize India’s domestic cricket season. The move underscores Mandhana’s dedication to her home country’s cricketing responsibilities.
Focus on Domestic Season for Maharashtra
Mandhana will channel her efforts into the domestic cricket scene by participating in Maharashtra’s cricket season, scheduled to take place from October 19 to January 26 of the following year. Notably, the Women’s Big Bash League’s 2023 season also commences on October 19, coinciding with her domestic commitments.
Absence from Overseas Draft and Previous WBBL Season
In a significant indication of her priorities, Mandhana chose not to include herself in the list of 122 players available for selection in the inaugural WBBL overseas draft. This echoes her choice during the 2022-23 season when she skipped the WBBL to manage her workload and fully dedicate herself to her international responsibilities for India.
Also READ: Heather Knight, Sophie Devine, Jemimah Rodrigues among 122 players registered for WBBL|09 Draft
A Storied WBBL Journey So Far
Having participated in three of the eight previous WBBL seasons, Mandhana’s journey in the league has seen her represent Brisbane Heat, Hobart Hurricanes, and Sydney Thunder. Her presence has added both skill and charisma to the league.
Clash with India’s International Calendar
The timing of Mandhana’s decision aligns with India’s busy international cricket season. India is set to host South Africa and New Zealand for a series of white-ball matches from September-end to October-end, followed by a series against England and Australia from mid-December to mid-January, featuring one Test match along with a combination of ODIs and T20Is.
The Domestic Cricket Season’s Schedule
India’s domestic women’s cricket season will kick off with the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy, scheduled to take place from October 19 to November 9. This will be followed by the Senior Women’s Inter-Zonal Trophy, spanning from November 24 to December 4. The cricketing extravaganza will culminate with the Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy, which is set to run from January 4 to January 26.
The Hundred Women 2023 Performance
Mandhana was recently in action during The Hundred Women 2023 tournament, where she was part of the Southern Brave team. The team emerged victorious, clinching their inaugural championship title by defeating the Northern Superchargers in the final. Mandhana was a pivotal contributor, securing the 6th highest run tally in the tournament with an impressive 238 runs from 9 games, boasting a strike rate of 133.70, including two half-centuries.
