From Jemimah Rodrigues to Shikha Pandey -- how did the Indians perform in WBBL 2024?
The 10th edition of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) was as anti-climatic as they come with a rain-marred finale on Sunday, December 1. Nevertheless, it ended in joy for the Melbourne Renegades (MLR) as they clinched their maiden WBBL title with a seven-run win over Brisbane Heat (BRH) after the second innings was reduced to 12 overs.
While legendary Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry was the top-scorer of the 2024 WBBL with 424 runs, leg-spinner Alana King finished as the leading wicket-taker with 20 scalps in 10 innings.
Yet, both Perry and King's franchises - Sydney Sixers and Perth Scorchers - failed to qualify for the playoffs despite their brilliant performances. The WBBL season also saw as many as six Indian women stars leave their mark in some way or the other.
While some flourished for their sides, others flattered to deceive, much to the dismay of their franchises.
On that note, let us take a closer look at how the Indian players performed in WBBL 2024.
#1 Jemimah Rodrigues - Brisbane Heat
One of India's most consistent batters Jemimah Rodrigues was just that for the Brisbane Heat in the 2024 WBBL. After missing the side's first two outings, the 24-year-old hit the ground running immediately in her first game of the season, scoring a 27-ball 45 against the Hobart Hurricanes.
The performances dwindled in the next two matches before a blistering 40-ball 61 in the Heat's eight-run win over the Adelaide Strikers. The runs continued flowing off Rodrigues' bat with the odd misses, including a match-winning 30-ball 43 in the Challenger against the Sydney Thunder to help the Heat qualify for the final.
Unfortunately in the grand finale, she scored only one from five deliveries as the Heat narrowly missed out on their third overall WBBL title by seven runs.
Rodrigues finished as the ninth leading run-scorer in the tournament with 267 runs at an average of 33.37 and a strike rate of 139.06 in 10 outings.
#2 Smriti Mandhana - Adelaide Strikers
Arguably India's greatest batter Smriti Mandhana has enjoyed tremendous success in his WBBL career. Playing for the Adelaide Strikers in the 2024 season after stints with the Brisbane Heat, Hobart Hurricanes, and Sydney Thunder, the 28-year-old played in only five out of the side's nine completed outings.
After missing the first half of the season, Mandhana tried her level best to save a sinking ship. However, even with three 40+ scores in five innings, the Strikers finished second from bottom with only seven points in 10 matches.
Nevertheless, the champion left-hander finished with 144 runs at an average of almost 29 and a strike rate of over 142.
#3 Deepti Sharma - Melbourne Stars
Despite coming in as one of the world's best all-rounders, Deepti Sharma endured a 2024 WWBL to forget with bat and ball for the Melbourne Stars.
Having never won the WBBL title, the Stars continued their horrific run by finishing at the bottom of the standings with only 2 wins in 10 outings. Playing in seven of those matches, Sharma struggled to cope with the Australian conditions, finishing with a woeful 65 runs at an average of 10.83 and a strike rate of 85.52.
Her off-spin bowling was no better as she finished with just two wickets at an average of over 50 and an economy of 8.30.
With not a single noteworthy performance to speak of, Deepti Sharma will hope to forget this WBBL season as a bad dream.
#4 Shikha Pandey - Brisbane Heat
Veteran pacer Shikha Pandey was at her best for most of the 2024 WBBL, playing for the Brisbane Heat. Not only was the 35-year-old penetrative with her wickets but she also controlled the run flow to help the Heat finish runners-up.
Pandey finished with 12 wickets in as many matches at an excellent average of 24.16 and a miserly economy of under 7. Despite the outstanding overall numbers, she failed to pick up a wicket in the Challenger and the final as the Heat barely missed out on a third WBBL title.
#5 Yastika Bhatia - Melbourne Stars
Wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia started her 2024 WBBL season strong before fading away at the end.
The 24-year-old scored 36 and 57 in her first two outings but added only 61 runs in her next four innings. Bhatia finished with 154 runs at an average of 25.66 but struggled to up the tempo with a sub-par strike rate of only 104.76 in six matches.
Her inconsistencies and struggles to up the ante played a role in the Stars finishing at the bottom of the points table.
#6 Dayalan Hemalatha - Perth Scorchers
Dayalan Hemalatha had a forgettable 2024 WBBL season for the 2021-22 champions Perth Scorchers with the bat. The 30-year-old played in eight out of the side's 10 matches but scored only 99 runs at an underwhelming average of 12.37 and a strike rate of 110.
Barring a 41 against the Sydney Thunder, Hemalatha did not score even 15+ in any of her other seven innings. Her dismal showing meant the Scorchers just missed out on a playoff berth, finishing fifth with nine points in 10 matches.