Star Sydney Thunder opener Smriti Mandhana believes the participation of Indian players in the WBBL this season could provide the edge her country needs to take out the 2022 T20 World Cup.

Mandhana is one of eight Indian players who have come across to play in this year’s WBBL after scheduling clashes had previously prevented them from taking part.

While the IPL is hugely popular, there is no equivalent women’s tournament in India, and Mandhana said having eight national-team players complete a full season in Australia would be highly beneficial heading in next year’s World Cup in March.

The Indian players were already in Australia for the international series, which meant they had already completed hotel quarantine.

“This year we had a window and we were already here and had done our 14 days quarantine. It’s better to stay and play some more cricket rather then go back,” Mandhana said.

“We have a World Cup coming up and we don’t have a BBL in our country, so it will be of benefit and a lot of experience for the eight girls in the comp and that experience will definitely count when we are back playing for India.”

Mandhana, who is currently sixth in the world for batting on the women’s ODI player rankings, is playing alongside teammate Deepti Sharma at the Thunder, while Shafali Verma and Radha Yadav have signed to the Sydney Sixers.

Jemimah Rodrigues is playing alongside Indian T20 captain Harmanpreet Kaur at the Melbourne Renegades, while wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh is playing for the Hobart Hurricanes and leg-spinner Poonam Yadav with the Brisbane Heat.