Indian players, who are a part of the ongoing WBBL tournament continue to make their mark, some with notable performances that showcase their talent and adaptability. Here’s how they have fared so far:
Jemimah Roadrigues (Brisbane Heat)
The Indian top order batter has had a mixed tournament so far, with flashes of brilliance and moments of struggle. Her best performance so far came against the Adelaide Strikers where she smashed 61 runs off 40 balls. She has had one other impactful knock – a 45-run knock against the Hobart Hurricanes. Just like international cricket, Jemimah’s Achilles heel has been inconsistency, besides the two scores mentioned above she has failed to convert her innings in other games where she scored 8, 5, and 13. Despite all this, her ability to use the crease, score without risking her wicket or hitting big shots has helped Brisbane anchor the batting lineup.
Smriti Mandhana (Adelaide Strikers)
Vice-captain of the Indian team, Smriti Mandhana has been in sublime form, delivering two match-winning knocks in the three matches that she has played. After a shaky start in her opening game with just 6 runs on the scoreboard, she bounced back in style, scoring a blistering 51 off 32 balls against Hurricanes and a solid 40 off 25 balls against the Melbourne Renegades. She has been instrumental in scoring impactful runs in the powerplay, setting the tone and foundation for the rest of the batting lineup. She is, without a doubt, one of the most reliable batters for Adelaide Strikers.
Deepti Sharma (Melbourne Stars)
All-rounder Deepti Sharma hasn’t impressed with either the bat or the ball. She has only managed 24 runs in the two innings that she has played, with a top score of 23 off 20 balls – with her strike rate under scrutiny again. With the ball she has been economical, giving away only 16 and 8 runs respectively in her two outings, picking up only 1 wicket. She has gotten limited opportunities so far, but it is to be seen whether Melbourne Stars make use of her all-round capabilities as the tournament progresses.
Yastika Bhatia (Melbourne Stars)
Yastika Bhatia’s scoring rate has been a concern for her franchise even though she has scored 22 (26), 20 (29), 57 (46), and 36 (28) runs in her four innings respectively. Her strike rate has been on the lower side, she has shown glimpses of excellent rhythm but needs to make the most of the powerplay and make greater impact with her bat.
Dayalan Hemalatha (Perth Scorchers)
Dayalan Hemalatha has struggled to find her groove in the tournament so far. Despite a promising 41 (26) against the Sydney Thunders, she has failed to convert her starts in the rest of the outings – with a score of 8 12, 7 and 13. Her technique against pace and bounce has not been up to the mark and her dismissals have appeared reckless. Hemalatha will have to adapt to overseas conditions to make the most of her opportunities.
So far the Indian contingent in WBBL has shown potential but has failed to make a significant impact save for a few occasions. With several matches still to go, fans will expect more standout performances from these talented cricketers.