Jemimah Rodrigues showed remarkable dedication by flying to Australia just days after India’s Women’s World Cup triumph to fulfill her commitment to Brisbane Heat in the WBBL. Landing in Brisbane on Saturday, she played the season opener on Sunday—barely a week after lifting the trophy.​

From World Cup Glory to WBBL Duty

The turnaround was stunning. Last week, Jemimah was celebrating India’s maiden ICC title after a 52-run victory over South Africa in the World Cup final. This week, she was walking out to bat at Allan Border Field in Brisbane, ready to represent the Heat against Melbourne Renegades.​

Before the match, Brisbane Heat shared a video on social media showing a smiling Jemimah saying, “I am here in Brisbane, can you believe it? Very excited for today, let’s go!”. Her enthusiasm was evident despite the grueling travel and quick turnaround.​

A Cheeky Dig at Australia

Jemimah didn’t miss the chance to have some fun with her arrival. Speaking to broadcasters before the match, she joked about whether Australia would even let her in after her World Cup heroics.

“Honestly, I wasn’t sure if Australia would allow me to cross the border to come here after the semi-final, but honestly, everyone has been so warm and welcoming,” Jemimah said. Her unbeaten 127 in the semi-final had knocked the Alyssa Healy-led side out of the tournament, setting up India’s historic final win.​

She added, “Everyone is so happy in general for the growth of women’s cricket that’s happened because of that win. It is going to change massively, not just in India but all over the world”.​

Quiet Return to Action

Despite the fanfare around her arrival, Jemimah’s comeback didn’t go as planned. She managed just six runs off nine balls before edging Alice Capsey to Deandra Dottin at backward point. The subdued performance disappointed her growing fan base, but her presence added significant star value to the contest.​

Brisbane Heat struggled throughout, posting just 133 all out in 20 overs. Nadine de Klerk (40 off 38 balls) and Chinelle Henry (29 off 22) offered resistance, but the Renegades’ spinners dominated proceedings.​

Renegades Cruise Home

Melbourne Renegades captain Georgia Wareham delivered her best WBBL figures, taking 3/12. Alice Capsey (3/22) and Tess Flintoff (3/30) also picked up three wickets each as the Heat collapsed.​

A rain interruption reduced the chase to 66 runs in 8 overs. Courtney Webb led the way with an unbeaten 34 off 22 balls, steering the Renegades home in just 7.3 overs with seven wickets in hand. Wareham remained unbeaten on 16 as the defending champions started their title defense with a comfortable win.​

Jemimah’s WBBL Journey

This marks Jemimah’s third stint in the WBBL, having previously played for Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars. Last season with Brisbane Heat, she scored 267 runs from 10 matches at an average of 33.37 and a strike rate of 139.06, with a top score of 61.​

The Heat had an impressive run last season, finishing second on the points table. However, they fell short in the final, losing to the Renegades by seven runs via DLS method at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The rematch on Sunday brought a similar result, with the Renegades once again getting the better of Brisbane.​

World Cup Semi-Final Heroics

Jemimah’s World Cup semi-final innings against Australia was arguably the knock of the tournament. Her unbeaten 127 helped India chase down a record target of 339 at the Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. She was involved in a crucial 167-run partnership with captain Harmanpreet Kaur that paved the way for India’s famous victory.​

Though she couldn’t make an impact in the final, her semi-final performance will be remembered as one of the defining innings in India’s World Cup triumph.

Sole Indian in WBBL 2025 Jemimah is the only Indian player participating in this year’s WBBL. Deepti Sharma, who won Player of the Tournament at the World Cup, opted not to play despite featuring for Melbourne Stars last season. Smriti Mandhana, who represented Adelaide Strikers previously, also chose not to enter this year’s draft.​

This makes Jemimah’s commitment even more noteworthy. While other Indian stars took time to rest after the World Cup, she prioritized honoring her Brisbane Heat contract.

WPL Retention Secured

Off the field, Jemimah received good news. Delhi Capitals retained her ahead of the Women’s Premier League 2026 mega auction scheduled for November 27. She remains one of the key players for DC, who will look to improve after a disappointing WPL 2025 campaign.​

WBBL 2025 Schedule

The 11th edition of the WBBL features a 43-game season spread over 35 days, running from November 9 to December 13. Each team will play at least one match against all others during the league phase, totaling 10 matches per side. The top four teams advance to the knockout rounds, culminating in the final on December 13.​

Brisbane Heat will hope Jemimah finds her rhythm quickly as they chase redemption after last season’s final heartbreak. Despite the tough start, her dedication to flying halfway across the world just days after a World Cup triumph speaks volumes about her professionalism and love for the game.