All-rounder Harmanpreet Kaur becomes first Indian women cricketer to be recruited by a foreign T20 franchise after signing up with Sydney Thunder, the reigning Women’s Big Bash League champions, for the 2nd edition of the Australian T20 league
All-rounder Harmanpreet Kaur has become the first Indian women cricketer to be recruited by a foreign T20 franchise after signing up with Sydney Thunder, the reigning Women’s Big Bash League champions, for the 2nd edition of the Australian T20 league.
Harmanpreet, the vice-captain of the Indian women's team is overjoyed and has termed it one of her best moments.
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Her signing is likely to help increase support for women’s cricket in India.
Harmanpreet Kaur
“It’s a great feeling, the WBBL is a great platform for women’s cricketers, being the first player from my country to sign a contract for a BBL club is one of my best moments,” Harmanpreet told the Sydney Thunder website.
Sydney Thunder already had signed one overseas player last year in West Indies’ Stafanie Taylor.
According to reports, three franchises were in the race to sign the aggressive middle-order batswoman before Sydney Thunder sealed the deal.
“My aim is to serve my team to win the WBBL title for the second time in a row. Playing with the best players against the best players is always a great feeling. I would definitely learn a lot of things from them all.”
The 27-year-old cricketer, who has played two Tests, 55 ODIs and 61 T20Is, had earlier told mid-day in an interview that the experience of playing Down Under would help her overcome many fears related to her game.
"We don't get international exposure like the men's team. We hardly play internationally. So, if I play there (WBBL), I will get to play 15 to 17 matches. There are little fears in my mind like overcoming pressure etc which I will learn to overcome with experience.
"The experience of playing alongside some top-class women's cricketers is exciting. There is a lot to learn from them. The confidence will help when I come back to play with the Indian team. I will share my experience with them as well," said Kaur.
The BCCI had last month given the go-ahead to women cricketers to participate in foreign T20 leagues, paving the way for all-rounder Harmanpreet Kaur's debut in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia.
Nick Cummins, Sydney Thunder general manager, believed the participation of Indian players would be a boon for the WBBL. “We are delighted to secure a player of the calibre of Harmanpreet,” he said. “She was on the top of our target list, and we are very pleased that the BCCI has released her to play in Australia.”
Harmanpreet had and impressed during India’s tour of Australia earlier in the year, scoring a 31-ball 46 to help India record their highest successful T20I chase. She scored 89 runs and took seven wickets in four outings in the ICC women's World T20.
Sydney Thunder will begin their title defence against Melbourne Stars at North Sydney Oval on December 10.
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