In a significant development for Indian women’s cricket, Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, emerged as the sole Indian player to be selected in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) overseas draft. The announcement came as a boost for Harmanpreet, who was retained by the Melbourne Renegades.
A total of 18 Indian players, including well-known names such as Yastika Bhatia, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma, participated in the inaugural WBBL overseas draft. However, in an unexpected turn of events, none of these Indian talents found themselves picked by the participating teams.
Harmanpreet in Platinum Category
Harmanpreet Kaur, who was categorized in the platinum category, was retained by the Melbourne Renegades for the upcoming WBBL season. This retention comes after her remarkable performance during the 2021-22 season. During that season, she showcased her prowess as a versatile all-rounder, scoring an impressive 406 runs in just 12 innings. Her batting average stood at an impressive 58.00, complemented by a strike rate of 130.96. Notably, she secured three half-centuries and achieved a top score of 81 not out.Harmanpreet Kaur was not only impactful with the bat but also proved to be an effective bowler for her team. She secured 15 wickets with an economy rate of 7.45, with her best figures being 3 for 22.
The Melbourne Renegades expressed their delight in retaining Harmanpreet Kaur for the upcoming season. Her performance in the previous season had evidently left a lasting impression. The team’s head coach, Simon Helmot, shared his excitement about having both Harmanpreet and Hayley Matthews of the West Indies on board. He highlighted the tough decision they had to make during the draft and mentioned that they were fortunate to secure Harmanpreet in the second round as a Platinum pick.
While no other Indian players secured a place in the draft, Harmanpreet Kaur’s continued prominence on the international stage and in T20 franchise leagues worldwide underscores her stature as one of India’s most renowned women cricketers.
This development not only serves as a recognition of Harmanpreet Kaur’s skills but also showcases the growing interest and recognition of Indian women cricketers in the global cricketing arena. It opens up new possibilities and aspirations for emerging talents in Indian women’s cricket who aspire to make their mark on the international stage.
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