Smriti Mandhana, a star Indian batter, has put pen on paper with Adelaide Strikers for the approaching WBBL season. The club announced the signing on Tuesday and she is expected to bring some much needed hitting power to the Strikers lineup. She brings in her elegance and aggresive batting style as Strikers eye their third straight WBBL title.
Mandhana, who is decorated in all formats of cricket, had previous stints at Brisbane Heat (WBBL|02), Hobart Hurricanes (WBBL|04) and Sydney Thunder (WBBL|07) during three different seasons of WBBL. One of her memorable displays was in WBBL|07 when she struck unbeaten 114 off 64 balls against Melbourne Renegades. Given that she has maintained a career strike rate of 130 in the WBBL so far, it is expected that her presence will strengthen and increase competitiveness among strikers’
The signers expressed their joy with signing Smriti Mandhana terming her “one of the leading stars in women’s cricket”. It underpins our commitment to a strong team.
She is a two-time winner of the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year award like Ellyse Perry from Australia which makes her one of the most-sought after players across any women’s T20 league worldwide.
Mandhana has scored 3,493 runs at an average of 28.86 and a strike rate of 122.51 in her 141 T20I matches for India; these include 26 fifties.
This year, working with coach Luke Williams, Mandhana led the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to winning the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in 2024. She says she is excited about joining the Strikers again after reuniting with Williams.
“I always love playing in Australia and am thrilled about the opportunity to be part of a successful team like the Strikers,” she said.
Williams, the coach who also handled Mandhana at Southern Brave during The Hundred tournament, praised her technical abilities, experience and strategic thoughtfulness.
“Smriti is an outstanding talent and we cannot wait to have her join us in the Strikers where she will bring great knowledge that will enable us succeed next season,” he concluded.
