Harmanpreet not yet signed by BBL's Sydney Thunder

Reigning Women's Big Bash League champions Sydney Thunder today confirmed having interest in Harmanpreet Kaur but denied signing the India all-rounder, contrary to media reports.

"We have been in discussions with Harmanpreet about joining Sydney Thunder for WBBL02. At the moment no contract has been signed by the player or the club," said team boss Nick Cummins.

BCCI president Anurag Thakur had hinted on Friday that Kaur was set to become India's first women's cricketer to play in an overseas T20 league.

The all-rounder, herself, too claimed that she had offer from three teams but went ahead with Sydney Thunder.

"I had offers from three teams. Then I went through their performances, compositions and everything else. I picked Sydney Thunder because firstly they are the champions and secondly there is only one overseas player in their team -- Stefanie Taylor from West Indies. The rest are players from their domestic circuit," Kaur was quoted as saying by bcci.tv.

"Since the rule is that only two overseas players can play, I figured that there are higher chances of me getting an opportunity to make it to the playing eleven vis-a-vis any other team where already two overseas players have been playing. Sydney Thunder have won the title on the basis of their domestic players so they do have a good bunch," she added.

Image: Harmanpreet Kaur of India

Photograph: Harry Engels/Getty Images