3 best catches by Indians in Women's Big Bash League ft. Smriti Mandhana
The Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) is arguably the best franchise league for women's cricket. Top women's cricketers from around the globe take part in the competition.
Over the years, some of India's top women's cricketers such as Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Shikha Pandey, and Richa Ghosh have played for various Women's Big Bash League teams.
In the ongoing season, Mandhana is representing the Adelaide Strikes, Jemimah Rodrigues and Shikha Pandey are part of Brisbane Heat, Yastika Bhatia and Deepti Sharma are with the Melbourne Stars while Dayalan Hemalatha is with the Perth Scorchers.
The fielding standards in the Women's Big Bash League have always been high, with players giving it their all on the field. Several brilliant run-outs, stumpings, and catches have been affected in the WBBL over the years.
The Indian players have taken some of the best catches in the league across seasons, showing their impeccable skills on the field. That said, here are the three best catches by Indians in the Women's Big Bash League.
#3 Radha Yadav - Women's Big Bash League 7 - Sydney Sixers vs Hobart Hurricanes Match 4
In the seventh edition of the Women's Big Bash League, Radha Yadav plied her trade for the Sydney Sixers. The all-rounder made significant contributions to her team throughout the season.
Among India's best fielders, Radha displayed her skills in Match No. 4 against Hobart Hurricanes, as she pulled off a brilliant one-handed catch, which was a highlight of the game.
In the third over of the Hurricane's innings, Radha pulled off a one-handed screamer while fielding in the point region. She timed her jump to perfection, making good use of her height as well, grabbing the ball with her left hand which was high in the air, helping dismiss Mignon Du Preez off Maitlan Brown's bowling.
#2 Jemimah Rodrigues - Women's Big Bash League 7 - Melbourne Stars vs Melbourne Renegades Match 35
Jemimah Rodrigues is also one of India's best fielders and has taken some top catches not just for the country but also in the WBBL. In the seventh edition of the league, she took a fine catch while representing the Melbourne Renegades against the Melbourne Stars in the 35th match.
On the first ball of the second over, Rodrigues completed a brilliant catch fielding in the point region to dismiss Elyse Villani off Harmanpreet Kaur's bowling.
Kaur bowled a wide delivery outside off which Villani tried to cut away. However, the ball went in the air and Jemimah dived to her right, taking the catch with both hands, making it look easy. Rodrigues also contributed with the bat in that match but her exceptional effort on the field stood out.
#1 Smriti Mandhana - Women's Big Bash League 10 - Adelaide Strikers vs Perth Scorchers Match 32
In the ongoing WBBL season, India's Smriti Mandhana took a stunning catch in the 32nd match between Adelaide Strikers and Perth Scorchers on Tuesday, November 19.
Mandhana delivered a moment of brilliance, playing a crucial role in Carly Leeson’s dismissal at the Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide. She pulled off a jaw-dropping catch that reaffirmed her composure under pressure.
The moment unfolded on the first ball of the 15th over in the Scorchers’ innings, bowled by Amanda-Jade Wellington. Leeson aimed for an inside-out lofted shot, but mistimed it, sending the ball into the air. Positioned at mid-off, Mandhana judged the ball accurately, running backward and executing a diving catch with both hands.