Jemimah Rodrigues opts out of remainder of WBBL season after Smriti Mandhana's wedding gets postponed

Rodrigues had returned home 10 days ago after the Heat’s game against the Hobart Hurricanes to participate in Mandhana’s wedding celebrations.

However, the ceremony was called off at the last minute due to the ill health of Mandhana’s father.

The 24-year-old has since chosen to stay back to support the family, a decision Brisbane Heat said they completely understood and respected.

Heat CEO Terry Svenson said the franchise fully backed Rodrigues’ choice, even though fans were eager to see more of the star batter, who was their top international draft pick this season and was playing her second stint with the club.

“It has been a difficult period for Jemi,” Svenson said in an official statement. “While it’s unfortunate that she won’t take any further part in the WBBL, we readily agreed to her request to remain in India. The club wishes her and Smriti Mandhana’s family all the very best.”

Svenson added that Rodrigues had expressed disappointment at not being able to return to Australia and conveyed her gratitude to the Heat management and supporters for their understanding.

She has also stayed in touch with teammates, wishing them well for the remainder of the tournament.

Brisbane Heat, still chasing their first win of the season after a narrow last-ball loss to the Adelaide Strikers earlier this week, now gear up for their next fixture against the Sydney Sixers at the Adelaide Oval on Friday.

In a boost to the side, all-rounder Grace Harris returns from a short workload-management break, replacing Lily Bassingthwaighte as the Heat aim to turn their season around.