Jemimah Rodrigues exits WBBL after Smriti Mandhana father illness and Palash Muchhal health scare halt wedding

Jemimah Rodrigues will stay in India for the rest of the 2025 Women’s Big Bash League season after the Brisbane Heat agreed to release her on Wednesday, saying she asked to remain in India to support Smriti Mandhana after her wedding with Palash Muchhal was postponed due to sudden health issues in the family. Earlier this month, Jemimah Rodrigues had travelled to Sangli, Maharashtra, for the nuptials scheduled on November 23, but after both families experienced medical crises she elected to stay back; the team confirmed they accepted her request.

Jemimah Rodrigues stays in India after Smriti Mandhana’s wedding in Sangli is postponed

The Brisbane Heat said in their statement that Jemimah Rodrigues “will stay in India to support her teammate” and will not return for the final four WBBL games. She had already left to accompany other India team members at the wedding celebrations in Sangli. 

Chest ache on November 23 caused Smriti Mandhana’s father, Shrinivas Mandhana, to be rushed to the Sangli hospital. 

Doctors subsequently verified it was angina. Though he was let go after a few days, he still needed rest. 

Palash Muchhal fell sick soon after with flu and acidity symptoms and was transferred to Mumbai for additional care, postponing the wedding for the families until a new date is selected.

Brisbane Heat CEO Terry Svenson said, “It has been a difficult time for Jemi, so we were happy to agree to her request to remain in India.” He also said the club wished Smriti Mandhana’s family well.

Jemimah Rodrigues had played the first three matches of WBBL 11 right after India’s historic Women’s World Cup win in Navi Mumbai. 

She told the team she felt sad to miss the rest of the season but thanked the players and fans for supporting her during this time.

India’s Women’s World Cup hero Jemimah Rodrigues has withdrawn from the remainder of the WBBL season to support teammate Smriti Mandhana. Smriti’s wedding was postponed due to her father’s health issue, prompting Rodrigues to stay in India. The Brisbane Heat franchise fully… pic.twitter.com/2B81gqUt7d

— India Forums (@indiaforums) November 27, 2025

Smriti Mandhana and Palash Muchhal’s delayed wedding affects Brisbane Heat’s season

With six losses so far in WBBL 11, the Brisbane Heat were depending on Jemimah Rodrigues, their top international pick last year. Terry Svenson said she had talked to the team and hoped them luck for the upcoming games. 

As the Brisbane Heat keeps looking for their first victory, Jemimah Rodrigues remaining in India will see them finish the season without one of their important players.