Defending Champions' Adelaide signed India's opening batter Smriti Mandhana

Women's Australia T20 League franchise Adelaide signed India's opening batter Smriti Mandhana for the upcoming season which is starting from 27th October. The Southpaw batter has been signed pre-draft before the auction, it will be her fourth team in the Women's Australia T20 League. Before this, she has played with Brisbane, Hobart and Sydney Franchises. In India's Women's T20 League, Mandhana led Bangalore Women’s win their maiden title, under the leadership of Luke Williams. 

The 44-year-old is also the coach of Adelaide in the Women’s Australia T20 League. The 28-year-old batter said that I am always eager to play in Australia and excited to contribute to a great team like Adelaide. I am thrilled to continue working with Luke Williams. Our past experiences together have been very beneficial and I am looking forward to taking it forward.

Adelaide’s head coach Luke Williams said that Smriti Mandhana has talent. We are thrilled to welcome her to the Adelaide franchise. She has experience and technique and knows first-hand the dedication and energy she brings to the team and on the field. We will move forward for success in the upcoming season.

Mandhana Women's Australia T20 League stats

Smriti Mandhana is known for her excellent batting, when she is in her rhythm, she can destroy any bowling attack. During her season for Sydney in the Women's Australia T20 League in the year 2021, she scored an unbeaten 114 off 64 balls against Melbourne, the joint second-highest individual score in the tournament's history. The Mumbai-born stalwart has so far scored a total of 784 runs while playing in the Women's Australia T20 League.

Adelaide has won the Women's Australia T20 League title twice in 2022-23 and 2023-24 respectively. In the final of the eighth season, Adelaide defeated Sydney by 10 runs. In the ninth season's final, they defended the title by defeating Brisbane. Now in the 10th season, the defending champions' eyes will be on achieving a hat-trick of titles.