Jerrssis Wadia is quickly emerging as one of the most exciting new stories of the Big Bash League, continuing to light up the tournament with fearless performances that belie his limited top-level experience. Just days after announcing himself with a breathtaking batting cameo in only his second BBL appearance, the young all-rounder came within a whisker of creating history for the Adelaide Strikers with the ball.
Opening the bowling at the Adelaide Oval against the Melbourne Renegades, the left-arm spinner made an immediate impact. With his very first delivery of the match, Wadia had opener Tim Seifert caught behind for a duck, setting the tone early. The next ball produced even more drama, as Jake Fraser-McGurk chipped a straightforward return catch back to the bowler, leaving Wadia on a hat-trick within the opening over.
The Adelaide Oval buzzed with anticipation before Mohammad Rizwan calmly denied him the milestone by driving the hat-trick delivery safely through the covers. While the hat-trick narrowly eluded him, the moment underlined Wadia’s growing influence in the competition.
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The 24-year-old first grabbed headlines earlier in the season when he smashed 22 runs in a single over, striking three sixes and a four in consecutive deliveries during a thrilling chase against the Brisbane Heat at The Gabba. Walking in with the Strikers needing an improbable 60 off 35 balls, Wadia’s 34 off just 16 deliveries nearly pulled off a miracle, even though his side eventually fell short by seven runs.
Can you believe that!
Here’s India-born Jerrssis Wadia on a hat-trick with the first three balls of the match 🤯 #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/q36PCKoRlJ
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 17, 2026
Born in Vadodara, Wadia represented Baroda at the Under-16 and Under-19 levels before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his development in India. Determined to keep his cricketing dreams alive, he made the bold decision to move to Adelaide four years ago, going against his parents’ wishes. That leap of faith began to pay off when he caught the attention of former Australia Test captain and current Strikers coach Tim Paine during a T10 tournament in Melbourne.
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Paine’s belief proved pivotal. According to Wadia, the former wicketkeeper-batter told him he had the tools to compete at the next level, instilling the confidence needed to break through. Cricket runs deep in Wadia’s family as well. His mother once tutored Hardik Pandya, who even stayed at their Mumbai home early in his career, while his grandfather Neville holds a Guinness World Record as the oldest player to score a century in minor cricket.
Now a self-confessed Mumbai Indians fan, Wadia’s ambitions are firmly set on the future. His ultimate goal is clear: to represent Australia and build a long, sustainable career across all three formats. With performances like these, that dream no longer feels far-fetched.
