Jemimah Rodrigues snubs WBBL to support Smriti Mandhana amid Palash Muchhal wedding controversy

Jemimah Rodrigues snubs WBBL to support Smriti Mandhana amid Palash Muchhal wedding controversy

The recent few days have been the hardest for India's star women cricketer Smriti Mandhana, who is dealing with a personal setback. Mandhana, also the vice-captain of Indian women's cricket team, was set to tie the knot with music composer Palash Muchhal last Sunday (November 23).

The wedding festivities, which were on in full throttle, came to a stop after a medical emergency in the Mandhana family. It was confirmed that the marriage has been indefinitely postponed by Mandhana's manager as the cricketer's father got admitted to a hospital after "symptoms of heart attack". Next day a fresh development emerged that Muchhal, the groom to be, was also admitted to a hospital and later transferred to a better facility in Mumbai.

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The good news is both Mandhana's father, Shrinivas, and Muchhal have been discharged from the hospital. However, amidst the turn of events and as the wedding remains postponed, speculations of Mucchal cheating the cricketer have been rife on social media.

While both parties have remained silenced on the matter, a fresh development has emerged. Jemimah Rodrigues, Mandhana's India teammate and a close friend, has been released from the remainder of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL). The development was confirmed by the Brisbane Heat, the team Rodrigues plays for in the T20 competition.

As part of a pre-arranged promise to attend her Mandhana's wedding last weekend, Rodrigues flew to India following the Heat's game against the Hobart Hurricanes ten days ago. However, with the recent turn of events Rodrigues has decided to remain in India to support Mandhana and the Heat have agreed to let her miss the final four WBBL games.

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Terry Svenson, CEO of the Brisbane Heat, in an official statement said: “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.

“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.

This was Rodrigues’ second season with the Heat, after being their top selection in this year’s International Player Draft.