Perth, Sep 2: Dayalan Hemalatha has been almost a regular member in the India women team's scheme of things in the recent past. Though she has not been very consistent at No 3 spot in recent times, but she certainly lacks no talent or skills.
Hemalatha has been picked in India's squad for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024. She has been understandably picked to provide additional top-order firepower to India's batting line-up, alongside Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma.
Although, India have Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh in their line-up, but Hemalatha for sure, is an important part of India's upcoming maiden World Cup title campaign in the UAE and Sharjah.
But being picked in India's ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 squad is not the only reason why Hemalatha should feel happy. She has also been chosen to play the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) for Perth Scorchers.
Speaking about Hemalatha's potentials, seasoned Australia opener Beth Mooney said she had been keeping an eye on Hemalatha for the last few years, and added that she was chuffed to have roped her in for the upcoming season of the WBBL.
In the WBBL overseas draft, Hemalatha was picked by the Perth Scorchers, and will join Mooney in her first overseas T20 league stint. The two were together in the Gujarat Giants camp at WPL 2024 in Bengaluru and New Delhi.
The other Indians apart from Hemalatha, who have been drafted into the WBBL are - Smriti Mandhana (Adelaide Strikers), Deepti Sharma and Yastika Bhatia (Melbourne Stars), Jemimah Rodrigues and Shikha Pandey (Brisbane Heat) found teams.
Indian cricket fans would definitely love to see Hemalatha doing well in the WBBL and more importantly, in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024.
If included in the playing XI, which is very likely, Hemalatha will be a vital cog for India at top of the order.
Even her part-time off-breaks can be useful in helpful conditions. In 9 Women's ODIs and 5 WT20Is, Hemalatha has claimed 14 wickets. Will she excel in T20 World Cup 2024? Well, India will be waiting for her to flourish and the help the team win their maiden World Cup.
