Jemimah Rodrigues signs up with Melbourne Renegades ahead of WBBL07

India’s batter Jemimah Rodrigues has signed with Melbourne Renegades ahead of the seventh edition of Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), the club announced in a statement on Wednesday (September 29).



Rodrigues, who made her international debut against South Africa in February 2018, has represented India in 68 international matches, including ICC T20 World Cup in 2018 and 2020. She has scored 976 runs in T20Is with an average of 26.37 and an impressive strike rate of 111.16.



The 21-year-old will be the sixth Indian player to be part of the seventh edition of WBBL after some high-profile signings like Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma.



“I’m very excited to be here now and to be part of the Renegades,” Rodrigues said. “I think for me, the main goal over here will be just to pull back and play cricket, play some good cricket and enjoy what I’m doing. I know when I do that and when I’m in that headspace, I’m able to give it my best.”



Also Read: Didn’t sleep well ahead of The Hundred debut, says Jemimah Rodrigues



The right-handed batter was also impressive in The Hundred, where she represented Northern Superchargers. She was the second-highest run-scorer of the tournament, only behind South African captain Dane van Niekerk, with 249 runs at a strike rate above 150. Renegades coach Simon Helmot believes Rodrigues is primed for the big role in the Renegades squad.



“Jemimah is an immensely talented young player, who is already making her mark on the world stage at 21,” Helmot said. “She was superb recently in The Hundred over in the UK. Jemimah is a dynamic player who can score quickly and to all parts of the ground.”



Squad so far: Sophie Molineux (c), Makinley Blows, Josie Dooley, Jess Duffin, Ellie Falconer, Holly Ferling, Poppy Gardner, Ella Hayward, Eve Jones, Carly Leeson, Rhiann O’Donnell, Jemimah Rodrigues, Georgia Wareham, Courtney Webb