Smriti Mandhana vs Jemimah Rodrigues: Star India batters reflect on WBBL faceoff

Star India players Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues reflected on their face-off in the Women’s Big Bash League. Mandhana made her debut for Adelaide Strikers in the WBBL 2024 and faced Brisbane Heat in her very first match. Mandhana’s teammate Rodrigues is part of Brisbane in WBBL 2024. Jemimah said that her and Mandhana share a great rivalry between them. Mandhana on the other hand, was looking forward to play for the Adelaide Strikers.

“We are very good friends, but when we play against each other, there is a lot of rivalry. And not just on the field. But it’s a lot of fun. I think it gets the best out of us both too. I think each league in its own self has its own challenges. And at the same time, a lot of learning. So it’s so nice that you know that you get to travel around the world. Come meet new people and play against them. And also get used to the conditions here. So I enjoy playing in Australia. I enjoy playing WBBL. I think it’s just a different challenge, and it pushes you and brings the best out of me,” Jemimah said in the video posted by the official social media handle of WBBL.

Watch the video here-

Mandhana was added to the squad along with Bridget Patterson after the Strikers left out Eleanor Larosa and Annie O’Neil. The Strikers have struggled thus far in the tournament, languishing at the bottom of the table with two points and a net run rate of -0.900 thanks to losses in three out of four games.

“Pretty much the same. I still haven’t played. This season is my first game, so maybe i will be able to answer this. But maybe later, but yeah, I think it is always good to comeback to Australia to play Big Bash. I have been here two years back. But I think there is a lot of difference playing back home to here. As Jemi said, good experience,” Mandhana added.

Rodrigues hit a blazing 61 from just 40 balls and propelled Brisbane Heat to a big total of 175 runs. Mandhana, on the other hand, failed to impress as she departed after scorings six runs.