Jemimah Rodrigues has decided to stay in India with her teammate, as well as close friend Smriti Mandhana, thereby opting out of rejoining the Brisbane Heat for the remaining part of the Women’s Big Bash League. WBBL franchise confirmed the news of Rodrigues not being available for the rest of the season as she has been granted permission. They said the club respects the decision and has offered her full support as she prioritizes her friend over her commitments for the WBBL.
“The Brisbane Heat have agreed to a request to release Jemimah Rodrigues from the remainder of the Weber Women’s Big Bash League.”
“Rodrigues returned home to India after the Heat’s match against the Hobart Hurricanes 10 days ago as part of a pre-arranged commitment where she was to be involved in Indian teammate Smriti Mandhana’s wedding last weekend.”
“However, the celebrations were subsequently postponed due to a health issue with Mandhana’s father.”
“Rodrigues will stay in India to support her teammate, and the Heat has agreed to her not returning for the final four games of the WBBL season,” read the statement.
Smriti’s father, Shriniwas Mandhana was immediately rushed to Sarvhit Hospital and Medial Research Centre after he showed signs of heart attack. On November 24, Smriti’s husband-to-be Palash Muchhal was also admitted in hospital in Sangli due to sudden health complications. It has been reported that while Palaash is recovering well, Smriti’s father continues to be monitored closely. The couple were scheduled to get married on November 23 in an intimate ceremony but the celebrations came to an abrupt pause after back-to-back medical emergencies struck during the festivities.
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However, a new wedding controversy has also unfolded where a girl named Mary d’Costa leaked a few screenshots where Palash Muchhal (Smriti’s fiance) was having a conversation with her in flirtatious way. Then there were a few allegations surfacing online that Palash might have cheated on Smriti a day before the wedding. Even though both the families have stayed quiet, there is no official confirmation whether all this is true or not.
