Internet Desk: Indian Women’s cricket team vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur has become the first Indian woman cricketer to sign with an overseas Twenty20 league, signing a contract with the Sydney Thunder franchise in the women’s Big Bash League in Australia. Anurag Thakur, the BCCI president, confirmed the development on Friday in Dharamshala, where the board is conducting its first annual cricket conclave.
Earlier this month, the BCCI gave permission for women cricketers to sign overseas contracts and it was reported that various WBBL clubs had shown interest in leading players such as India’s vice-captain Harmanpreet, Jhulan Goswami and Smriti Mandhana. The second edition of the WBBL is scheduled to be held in December-January.
Harmanpreet, 27, has represented India in 55 ODIs, 61 T20Is and two Test matches. She averages 35.57 in women’s ODIs, with two centuries and eight half-centuries. She was part of the Indian team that stunned hosts Australia 2-1 in a T20I series in Australia in January.
According to Harmanpreet, “This is a proud feeling for me as I am the first Indian player to represent my country in the WBBL. I would like to thank BCCI and my other colleagues. This is a very special moment for me. I have heard from the otehr players who have previously played in WBBL that its a big hit in Australia. The stadiums gets packed up there. I just cannot wait anymore to participate.”