Harmanpreet Kaur added another page to the history of Indian cricket by becoming the first Indian woman cricketer to be playing in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in the 2016-17 edition.
This is the first ever by any women to be recruited in an overseas Twenty20 League.
Kaur will be representing Sydney Thunder who were the champions of the inaugural edition in 2015-16. In the same year, the men’s team too won their maiden Big Bash Leauge title.
BCCI president Anurag Thakur had prompted in June 2016 about such a stint by the all-rounder Harmanpreet Kaur.
She herself claimed of being offered a place from three teams but went ahead with Sydney Thunder. “I had offers from three teams. Then I went through their performances, compositions and everything else. I picked Sydney Thunder because firstly they are the champions and secondly there is only one overseas player in their team. The rest are players from their domestic circuit.”
Sydney Thunder is more than overwhelmed to have Kaur on board. In a statement released by the franchise, they stated that the Indian vice-captain was on top of their target and were pleased that the BCCI agreed to release her for the tournament.
Unlike the Indian Premiere League (IPL), rules of the WBBL are a bit stringent with foreign players. Only two international players are allowed in the playing XI. Another foreign player alongside Harmanpreet Kaur is West Indies all-rounder Stefanie Taylor.
