Jemimah withdraws from WBBL, stays back to support Smriti Mandhana

Jemimah Rodrigues will not re-join the Brisbane Heat for the remainder of the WBBL 2025 season, with the franchise granting her request to stay back in India.

Rodrigues had returned home after the Heat’s match against the Hobart Hurricanes under a pre-arranged agreement linked to personal commitments.

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The India batter will now remain in the country to support her teammate and close friend Smriti Mandhana, who is going through a difficult period in her family.

Rodrigues featured in three matches this season, scoring 37 runs at an average of 12.33 and a strike rate of 102.77. She conveyed her thanks to the Heat management and supporters for their understanding, while the club extended its best wishes to her.

“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,” Brisbane Heat CEO Terry Svenson said.

“The Heat club obviously wish her and Smriti Mandhana’s family all the best for the future. 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,” Svenson added.

Rodrigues, who was the Heat’s number one pick in this year’s international player draft, departs as the team continues to endure a tough season. Brisbane Heat have lost all six of their matches so far and will next face the Sydney Sixers on November 28, with four league games remaining.

All-rounder Grace Harris returns to the lineup after being rested for workload management, replacing Lily Bassingthwaighte in the squad as Brisbane look to get their season going.