Harmanpreet Kaur set to become first Indian to play in Women's Big Bash League

Numerous clubs from the Australia-based Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) are interested in signing Indian Women’s cricket team vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur for the upcoming season of the T20 tournament. Harmanpreet, if signed by one of the clubs would become the first Indian to play in the Australian Big Bash league.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), had on 1 June cleared Indian women cricketers to participate in overseas Twenty20 leagues. While the women missed out on the deadline for the Women’s Super League which is held England, they will be available for the second edition of the Australian WBBL.

The inaugural champions of the WBBL are one of the clubs interested in the Indian vice-captain and the team captain, Alex Blackwell confirmed the same saying, “I think we saw in the Indian team some very dynamic players, including Veda Krishnamurthy and Harmanpreet Kaur, I think these two stood out,"

Blackwell also said that she would love to see Indian all-rounder Jhulan Goswami in the Women’s Big Bash after enjoying many battles with her over the years.

Interest from many clubs for Kaur

WBBL runners-up Sydney Sixers also have a vacant slot for an overseas player and their captain Ellyse Perry also confirmed that Harmanpreet Kaur would be interesting clubs across the league. She said, “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.”

Adding that Kaur would attract a lot of interest 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."

Indian players have attracted a lot of interest from Australian clubs after they beat Australia 2-1 in the T20 series held in January. Harmanpreet had impressed in the tournament with her all-round performances and which also had a match winnings of 46 from 31 balls in the opening match of the series in Adelaide.

Brisbane Heat, who missed out on the previous finals also seemed to be interested in Indian players. Brisbane wicketkeeper, Beth Mooney said, “They’ll be a good addition to any Big Bash team because we played them at the start of our summer and they beat us 2-1 in T20 series, so there are definitely some subcontinent players to look out for. Hopefully they jump on board and make the competition even more exciting."

Although a lot of interest is being shown by Australian clubs, Cricket Australia have confirmed that no Indian had yet been signed by the clubs for the second edition of the WBBL.