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With so much cricket being played across the globe, it is getting a bit tough for the players to cope with busier schedules. Not just men’s cricket, women’s cricket is also getting too busy and hence players are seeking rest here and there. One of India’s prominent women’s cricketers, Smriti Mandhana is among the most demanded players in the world at the moment.
Apart from fulfilling national duties, Mandhana has multiple contracts with cricket franchises across the globe. The southpaw recently featured in England’s franchise cricket, the Hundred. Mandhana also has a Women’s Big Bash League contract with Brisbane Heat. The batter has shattered many records while playing for the franchise.
However, it seems, Brisbane Heat will be missing the services of Mandhana as India’s vice-captain has hinted at pulling out of the tournament to manage workload. Mandhana has said that she wants herself fit for the national team and hence may consider giving this year’s WBBL a miss.
"I think more than the mental part, it's about managing a little bit of physical part," Mandhana said in a press conference from Derby.
"Definitely I'll be thinking about pulling out of WBBL because I don't want to miss out on playing for India or having any niggles when I play for India because I want to give my 100% when I play international cricket. So definitely I'll be thinking about playing or pulling out of Big Bash."
The 26-year-old, however, clarified that she is not complaining about the volume of cricket being played these days as this is what all women cricketers have always wanted.
"...I can't be complaining that we have a lot of cricket on the platter. As a woman player we always wanted this sort of schedule for us. I'm really happy to be playing so much cricket and I've had my family over, like my mom is over here and she was here for the Hundred as well. So that also helps to be in a good mindset and the teammates have been just amazing. It feels like we're a family together,” added Mandhana.
Notably, Smriti has been playing non-stop cricket since February. She played in the ODI series against New Zealand. The southpaw then featured in the ODI World Cup. Mandhana also played in the domestic T20 tournament before playing in the Women’s Challenger Trophy. She then took part in the Commonwealth Games followed by the Hundred. The 26-year-old is currently in England for the T20I and ODI series.