Indian Players in WBBL 2026: Is Any Indian Cricketer Playing This Season?

The Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) has provided Indian cricketers with opportunities to play in Australia and share the competition with players from different countries. Over the years, several Indian names have featured in the tournament, with their participation changing from season to season. However, the picture for WBBL 12, the 2026–27 edition, is different so far. No Indian player has been announced as a signing for the upcoming season. That is the position, and there is no confirmed Indian name to add to the squad list at this stage.

Harmanpreet Kaur was the first Indian cricketer, male or female, to sign a Big Bash contract. Her move opened the way for more Indian players to take part in the Australian league. The tournament later saw an Indian presence, especially in WBBL 07, when seven players featured in the season. The group included Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Shafali Verma, Radha Yadav, Richa Ghosh, Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur. It remains the highest number of Indian players recorded in a single WBBL season in the information provided.

Indian participation continued in WBBL 10, played in 2024–25, with six players involved across different teams. Shikha Pandey represented Brisbane Heat and took 12 wickets, earning a place in the WBBL Team of the Tournament. Jemimah Rodrigues played for Brisbane Heat and finished as the team’s second-highest run scorer. Deepti Sharma and Yastika Bhatia were part of Melbourne Stars, while Dayalan Hemalatha played for Perth Scorchers. Smriti Mandhana represented Adelaide Strikers during that season. Their involvement showed the range of roles Indian players had taken on in the league.

For WBBL 11, the 2025–26 season, Jemimah Rodrigues was retained by Brisbane Heat as its marquee overseas player. Her retention continued the link between the Indian batter and the franchise after her earlier season with the team. Across these editions, Indian players have appeared for several clubs and contributed in different ways, from taking wickets and scoring runs to being selected among the tournament’s leading performers. The previous seasons therefore provide a record of Indian participation, but they do not confirm who will be involved in WBBL 12.

The contracting system has changed as well. Cricket Australia moved away from the overseas player draft and introduced an open-market approach for international signings. Under this system, teams negotiate directly with overseas players instead of selecting them through the draft. The change gives clubs the option to approach and sign international players themselves. There is also no mandatory minimum number of overseas players that each squad must have, so teams are not required to fill a set overseas quota.

At present, one overseas signing slot remains available. That leaves room for a team to make another international addition, including a possible late or mid-season signing. However, the remaining slot should not be treated as confirmation that an Indian player will join. No Indian signing for WBBL 12 has been announced, and the update does not identify any player as part of the upcoming season. The position could change if a club makes a later move, but there is no official confirmation to report now.

The earlier seasons show that Indian cricketers have had a steady presence in the WBBL, with participation reaching seven players in WBBL 07 and six in WBBL 10. Jemimah Rodrigues’ retention for WBBL 11 also reflects continued involvement in the league. Still, past appearances and the open-market system are not evidence of a new signing. Until a team announces one, WBBL 12 remains without a confirmed Indian player. That is the latest available update, while the possibility of a later overseas signing remains open.

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Source: femalecricket.com