WATCH: Jemimah Rodrigues joins Brisbane Heat ahead of WBBL 2025 opener; features in tournament opener

On Saturday, November 8, Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 winner Jemimah Rodrigues landed in Australia to join her Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) franchise Brisbane Heat ahead of the season opener. Notably, the WBBL’s 11^th edition kickstarted on Sunday, November 9 with the Heat Women’s hosting Melbourne Renegades at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane.

However, just hours prior to the season opener, Indian middle-order batter Jemimah Rodrigues joined her WBBL franchise in Brisbane. Although, the 25-year-old shared a picture of herself while onboard, she joined her team after days of celebrations with the Indian team, who just last week lifted their maiden Cricket World Cup title, beating South Africa Women by 52 runs.

Jemimah Rodrigues reunites with WC finalist Nadine de Klerk in Brisbane ahead of WBBL 11 opener

The Mumbai-born landed in Australia

on Saturday night, just hours prior to the opening match, which saw Brisbane Heat go down against Melbourne Renegades by seven wickets in a rain-marred game. In the match, Rodrigues however had a forgettable outing as she could only score six off nine deliveries at a strike rate of 66.67 after the Heat side were put to bat first.

Prior to the game, Rodrigues had a cheerful reunion with her side, along with a special one with Women’s CWC finalist Nadine de Klerk of South Africa. The two shared hugs and exchanged laughs days after the World Cup final in Navi Mumbai last weekend.

Jemimah Rodrigues will hope to put up a show in the WBBL after a mixed campaign in the World Cup 2025. In WBBL 2024, the Indian batter scored 267 runs in 10 games at an average of 33.37 and a strike rate of 139.06 with her top score of 61.

Brisbane Heat squad for WBBL 2025

Jess Jonassen, Jemimah Rodrigues, Lily Bassingthwaighte, Bonnie Berry, Lucy Bourke, Chinelle Henry, Nadine de Klerk, Sianna Ginger, Lucy Hamilton, Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Charli Knott, Grace Parsons, Georgia Redmayne