Jemimah Rodrigues makes the switch from Renegades to Stars

Rodrigues makes the switch from cross town rivals, the Melbourne Renegades, where she played 13 games in WBBL07. She becomes the first Indian player ever to have signed for the Melbourne Stars.

A consistent top order batter, Rodrigues scored 333 runs at a strike rate of over 116 last season.

A prodigious young talent, she made her debut for India in 2018 against South Africa at the age of just 17. Rodrigues has since represented her country in 58 T20 Internationals, 21 ODIs and played in two ICC T20 World Cups for her nation, including the 2020 World Cup Final at the MCG.

Rodrigues, who turned 22 on Monday, said she cannot wait to return to Melbourne to be a part of the Stars in WBBL08.

"I am super excited to be a part of the Stars family. I've been told that I'm the first ever Indian to sign for the Stars and it is my honour to do so.

"Melbourne has always been my favourite city in Australia and I can't wait to get back there!"

General Manager Blair Crouch says her signature is a landmark day for the club.

"We have a huge following in India and to add a player of Jemimah's quality to our squad is huge coup for the club.

"I'm sure Jemimah will quickly become a fan favourite and we look forward to seeing her as part of the Stars Family in WBBL|08."

Rodrigues will complete her commitments in the Asia Women's Cup for India before joining the Melbourne Stars squad.

Current WBBL08 squad: Meg Lanning, Lucy Cripps, Sophie Day, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Kim Garth, Rhys McKenna, Sasha Moloney, Sophie Reid, Jemimah Rodrigues (IND), Annabel Sutherland.