The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently gave permission for the India women cricketers to take part in foreign T20 leagues and as soon as the announcement came on June 1, franchises of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) have started showing their interest. India stars like Mithali Raj, Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur and Jhulan Goswami are going to top the wishlists of the WBBL teams.
The inaugural edition of the WBBL took place last year, with the Sydney Thunder crowned as the champions. The Thunder have one empty slot left for a foreign player and they are targeting one of the above mentioned Indian stars for the next edition of the WBBL.
"I think we saw in the Indian team some very dynamic players, including Veda Krishnamurthy and Harmanpreet Kaur, I think these two stood out. And of course Jhulan Goswami, she's a legend of the game and someone I'd love to see in the Women's Big Bash. She's a great team person and I've certainly enjoyed many battles with her over the years," Syndey Thunder skipper Alex Blackwell was quoted as saying by the official website of Cricket Australia.
"We have a pretty solid team and we're hoping our list stays consistent after a successful first year, but we have an opportunity to bring another overseas player in and we'll be looking to spend that spot wisely. Hopefully we'll get one of the best players around the world. We're the champion team and hopefully a team people want to play for, I'm looking forward to seeing who that person might be."
India stunned Australia last year in a T20 series. Goswami, Mandhana, Harmanpreet and others played some wonderful all-round cricket to outclass one of the best sides in the world. Mandhana, especially, was outstanding with the bat during that tour. She went on to score 222 runs at an average of 50.50.
Sydney Sixers too have a foreign slot available and they are looking to rope an India national team player.
"Last year, being the first year, the league was quick to fill the overseas positions and I'm sure some players missed out who wanted a chance," Sydney Sixers captain Ellyse Perry said.
"Now with some of the Indian players being available, someone like Kaur who made a big splash in the T20 games would have a number of teams looking at her."
