India Women batting sensation Jemimah Rodrigues will return to the Women Big Bash League (WBBL) in the upcoming season, but with a new team.

Rodrigues has signed a contract with Melbourne Stars for the 2022-23 season, starting in October. She will become the first Indian player to represent the Stars in the WB💜🔯BL.

Notably, Rodrigues had represented Melbourne Renegades in the previous season, scoring 333 runs at a strike rate of over 116. The right-handed batter, however, will miss the Stars’ first couple of matches, due to international commitments, with India competing in the Women’s Asia Cup in Bangladesh running from October 1-16.

Rodrigues expresജsed her enchantment after joining the Stars, stating she is looking forward to return🏅ing to Melbourne.

“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! “ said Jemimah, as quoted by Melbournestars.com.au.

Rodrigues is the third Indian to sign for WBBL|08, alongside captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who has returned to the Renegades, and Pooja Vastrakar – signed up by Brisbane Heat.

“We have a huge following in India, and to add a player of Jemimah’s quality to our squad is a 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,” said Stars’ General Manager Blair Crouch.

Current Melbourne Stars squad:

Meg Lanning, Lucy Cripps, Sophie Day, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Kim Garthඣ, Rhys McKenna, Sasha Moloney, Sophie Reid, Jemimah R𒉰odrigues (INDIA), Annabel Sutherland.