NEWS
Follow UsMelbourne Renegades have managed to acquire the services of Indian batters Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur for the upcoming edition of the Women's Big Bash League, which will start on October 14.
Rodrigues, who didn’t feature in the recently concluded three-match ODI series between Australia and India, will appear in the league for the first time. Rodrigues was phenomenal in the inaugural edition of The Hundred. The 21-year-old top-order batter slammed 249 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 150.9 and ended the tournament as the second-highest run-getter.
"I’m very excited to be here now and to be part of the Renegades. 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," Rodrigues said.
"The goal is whatever happens, I want to give it my 100 percent each and every time I’m on the field… and hopefully (we can win) the cup for the Renegades. I’m super excited, I’m really looking forward to it and there’s so much that I’m going to learn, I’m sure about that."
The Renegades had earlier signed uncapped English allrounder Eve Jones. Melbourne finished seventh on the table last season and have made seven changes so far.
"Jemimah is an immensely talented young player, who is already making her mark on the world stage at 21. She was superb recently in The Hundred over in the UK ... she's is a dynamic player who can score quickly and to all parts of the ground," coach Simon Helmot said.
"Harmanpreet’s record at international level over the past decade speaks for itself. She’s a match-winner and can take the game away from the opposition in a heartbeat ... We also see Harmanpreet being an important addition for our group with her experience and leadership."
Meanwhile, Harmanpreet too didn't play the ODI series against Australia because of a thumb injury but is most likely to be available for the T20I-series. She has also been ruled out of the one-off Test. The right-hander, who played for the Sydney Thunder, returns to the Big Bash after two years.Â
She's back in the @WBBL and we can't wait to see what @ImHarmanpreet can produce in 🔴 #GETONRED #WBBL07 pic.twitter.com/5DURIFuCa2
— Renegades WBBL (@RenegadesWBBL) September 29, 2021
It means a lot (to be back). The WBBL has given me a lot of experience and a great platform where I can perform and execute. Coming back with a new team, the Renegades… I hope this season will be really great for us. It’s my first season with them and I definitely want to make an impact," said India's T20 skipper.
Sydney Sixers had earlier signed Shafali Verma and Radha Yadav, while Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma will be playing for Sydney Thunder. The Renegades will start their campaign against Hobart Hurricanes on October 16 at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart.Â