[Watch] Shikha Pandey Stirs Smriti Mandhana With A Witty Send-Off After Perfect Execution

Shikha Pandey dismissed Mandhana [Source: @wbbl/screengrab]

A lot was expected of Smriti Mandhana on her Adelaide Strikers debut, but the India opener failed to deliver the goods. Chasing a tricky 176 against a strong Brisbane Heat bowling attack, Mandhana perished for 6 as her Indian teammate, Shikha Pandey grabbed the wicket.

So far, Mandhana has had a stellar Women's Big Bash League career, and hence, the expectations were high. She started brightly by smashing a boundary against Shikha Pandey, but the Indian seamer had the last laugh as he got her prized wicket.

She bowled a fuller length ball outside the off as Mandhana failed to get her timing right and gave a caught and bowled to Shikha, who took a brilliant reflex catch in her follow-through.

Mandhana looked disappointed and rightly so, as the southpaw had the perfect batting conditions to make a statement on her Strikers debut.

Mandhana has had topsy-turvy last few games

Mandhana has had a rough patch in recent few months. She had an average T20 Women's World Cup, where the southpaw failed to lit up the tournament. Also, when the New Zealand side arrived in India for the ODI series, the India opener failed in the first two matches.

However, she roared back strongly and notched up a stellar century to make her comeback in the 50-over format.

Strikers tottering in WBBL table

Mandhana's arrival brought a new ray of hope for the Strikers who are tottering at the last position in the points table. In the 4 matches they have played, the Strikers have just won a solitary contest and have lost 3.

In reply to Brisbane Heat's 175, the team from Adelaide have already lost 3 wickets and another loss looms large for the team.

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