There was a lot of speculation that Smriti Mandhana would be setting her sights on a Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) championship later this year after sealing success with the Southern Braves in The Women’s Hundred. The Indian vice-captain, however, has taken the deliberate choice to ignore the next WBBL season in favour of concentrating on the domestic cricket season.
Mandhana is aligning herself with the local cricket schedule in India despite the WBBL’s allure. Her priorities are quite clear. Mandhana’s decision highlights her commitment to serve her country at home, as the WBBL and the Indian domestic season share dates that stretch from October 19 to January 26.
Additionally, the upcoming WBBL season falls during India’s foreign commitments. Later in the year, the Indian women’s cricket team will host series against South Africa, New Zealand, England, and Australia, which would complicate Mandhana’s choice even further.
The Senior Women’s T20 Trophy, which is set to take place from October 19 to November 9, will serve as the domestic season opener for Indian women. The Senior Women’s Inter-Zonal Trophy will begin on November 24 as a follow-up to this. From January 4 to January 26, the Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy will mark the conclusion of the domestic season.
Smriti Mandhana has been a significant player in the WBBL, having played for three different teams: the Sydney Thunder, Hobart Hurricanes, and Brisbane Heat. The promising left-hander will miss the WBBL for the second straight season as a result of this choice.
Mandhana’s decision to choose domestic cricket over fulfilling her international obligations demonstrates her dedication to fostering the Indian cricketing community and assisting the success of the national side. Although her absence from the WBBL will definitely be noticed, her passion to the sport and her country is evident in her attention to the bigger picture.
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