Rodrigues takes big call over WBBL commitments after India teammate Mandhana's wedding postponed

Jemimah Rodrigues has decided to stay back in India in support of India teammate Smriti Mandhana, whose wedding with music director Palash Muchhal had recently been postponed.

Both Rodrigues and Mandhana had recently starred in India’s maiden Women’s World Cup triumph, with the former later flying to Australia for the 11th season of the Women’s Big Bash League that got underway on 9 November – a week after India defeated South Africa in the final in Navi Mumbai.

And Rodrigues, who represents Brisbane Heat and is the only Indian playing in the WBBL, had taken a break from the ongoing season in order to join Mandhana’s wedding in her hometown of Sangli along with opener Shafali Verma, wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh and other India teammates.

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Rodrigues decides to stay back

However, the wedding, which was supposed to take place on 23 November, had to be postponed after Mandhana’s father Shrinivas suddenly fell ill and had to be rushed to a hospital. And instead of flying back to Australia for Heat’s remaining matches of the season, Rodrigues has decided to stay back home to offer her long-time India teammate moral support.

“Brisbane Heat have agreed to a request to release Jemimah Rodrigues from the remainder of the Weber Women’s Big Bash League. Rodrigues returned home to India after the Heat’s match against the Hobart Hurricanes 10 days ago as part of a pre-arranged commitment where she was to be involved in Indian teammate Smriti Mandhana’s wedding last weekend,” the franchise said in a statement.

“However, the celebrations were subsequently postponed due to a health issue with Mandhana’s father. Rodrigues will stay in India to support her teammate, and the Heat has agreed to her not returning for the final four games of the WBBL season,” the two-time WBBL champions added.

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Brisbane Heat ‘more than willing’ to accept Rodrigues’ request

Heat CEO Terry Svenson added that the franchise has absolutely no issue with Rodrigues’ last-minute decision.

“It has obviously been a challenging time for Jemi, so while it is unfortunate that she will take no further part in the WBBL, we were more than willing to agree to her request to remain in India. The Heat club obviously wish her and Smriti Mandhana’s family all the best for the future,” Svenson said.

“Jemi told us she was disappointed not to be coming back and has passed on her appreciation to the club and the Heat fans for being so understanding of the circumstances. She has been in touch with the players and wished them all the best for the rest of their games,” he added.