Smriti Mandhana joins WBBL side Adelaide Strikers

India's star batter Smriti Mandhana, on Tuesday, signed for Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) franchise Adelaide Strikers for the forthcoming season, starting on October 27.

The opening batter played for three WBBL sides - Brisbane Heat, Sydney Thunder and Hobart Hurricanes - in recent past.

Mandhana joined the defending champions Strikers under the league's new overseas player pre-season signing provision ahead of Sunday's draft.

"Excited is an understatement," Strikers captain Tahlia McGrath told Cricket Australia about the signing of Mandhana.

"We've been trying to get her for a few years now, in constant comms (with her) and her batting is just unbelievable. She's a very elegant batter and has the ability to take away games from opposition very quickly," added Tahlia.

Club icon Megan Schutt said, "Countless hours hounding her has helped," Schutt said when asked about the effort that went into convincing Mandhana. I did see her over at The Brave in The Hundred (this month) and really rekindled that friendship. I played with her at RCB, Tahlia's played with her a bunch, and she loves Luke's coaching style."

"She's committed, which is great ... and having a leftie up top is going to be huge for us. Her flair, the areas and pockets she hits to in the ground, I think she plays really well in Australian conditions, her knowledge of the game, she's one of the leaders in India. She's a complete package for us," Schutt added.

Mandhana, however, is unlikely to be available for the initial matches, with India scheduled to host New Zealand for three ODIs in late October.

India will play Australia after the WBBL final on December 1.