Harmanpreet Kaur created history on Saturday by becoming the first Indian batter to make an appearance in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) — Australia’s premier T20 tournament for cricketers from around the world.
Harmanpreet, who is India’s T20 captain, had become the first from India to sign up for WBBL when the defending champions Sydney Thunder announced that she will turn up for them in the 2nd edition of the tournament.
Though her debut appearance ended in defeat for the Thunder, Harmanpreet played a fantastic innings lower down the order to take her team close to a win.
Her stroke-filled 28-ball 47 saw Thunder fall short by just six runs against Melbourne Stars after needing 45 from the last three overs.
With 9 needed of 2 the Indian could just get a single off the second last ball to all but conclude the end result.
According to reports from the ground, Harmanpreet was the talk of the night for an innings that caught the eye of the Australian public.
And why not, if she plays shots like this:
Check out the bowler’s reaction to that shot – one of complete disbelief!
Indian batter Smriti Mandhana had also signed a one-year deal with Brisbane Heat for the second edition of the Women’s Big Bash League.
Mandhana had become the second India women’s player to sign for the BBL after Harmanpreet and will be in action in the coming days.
Congrats Harmanpreet & good luck for future games!
(With PTI inputs)