A blast of frigid wind rushed across the area as the Delhi Capitals got ready to play their first game at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, creating a chilly atmosphere. Although they believed a windstorm was approaching, the security staff said “that time will tell.”
Unbeknownst to the experienced security staff, Jemimah Rodrigues-a standout player for the hosts who was eager to start their home leg in style-was about to unleash a storm on the stadium.
With her undefeated 69 off 33 balls, Jemimah demonstrated aggression and inventiveness, aiding Delhi in their third 170+ score of the year. At a strike-rate of 209, she struck eight fours and three sixes while displaying impressive strokes over point and making good use of the 46-meter off-side boundary.
Prior to Tuesday’s match, Jemimah had trouble at the bat in Bengaluru, but she was excellent on the field at entertaining and uplifting others. She captivated the small crowd in Delhi with her amazing strokeplay, which included exquisite timing and placement, effective use of the crease, and proactive footwork.
Before her, skipper Meg Lanning, who reached her third fifty in the current season, adorned the 22 yards with her trademark surgical precision, executing punch, drive, and cut through the off-side square to collect 53 runs off 38 balls.
Jemimah was at run-a-ball eight and had joined Meg at the crease when the skipper was removed. Delhi were 123/3 with five overs to go, and Jemimah was hitting 13 from 14 balls. Someone had to stand up and deliver big hits in this situation to make sure Delhi set a difficult goal that Mumbai would have to chase constantly.
When Jemimah faced Shabnim Ismail in the 16th over, it was that time. She slog-swept a slower ball over long-on, where the longer boundary lay. She retreated after two balls in order to slice beyond backward point for an additional four.
In the subsequent over, Jemimah went over to pull Pooja Vastrakar for a shattering boundary as the shorter boundary turned into her leg-side. The next delivery was pitched wide by the pacer in an attempt to rectify herself, but Jemimah did well to slice the shot over backward point for another boundary.
Jemimah kept playing field tricks, scuttling across to sweep Saika Ishaque over fine leg. Then, when the spinner pitched off-stump, the small hitter retreated to loft an incredible drive over backward point for consecutive fours.
Jemimah acknowledged Virat Kohli’s influence during the post-match press conference and explained that her excellent performance in the T20 encounter came from her precise ability to pinpoint holes and her well-honed timing.
“To hit those sixes, I think I have to exert a little bit more effort than the others. However, I rely a lot on my bat swing and timing. It looked great, in my opinion, and even though you can see my sixes, I attempt to hit the ball in the gap rather than try to hit a sixe. It goes for a six if it is hit too well.
I’ve learned how to do that from Virat Kohli; he does it pretty effectively. Because of our similar hitting positions on the Indian squad, I truly look up to him. When batting, he bats with determination and moves well between the wickets. He hits it in the gaps even when he hits a six.
The best moment of Jemimah’s knock, though, was in the 19th over when she sliced Nat Sciver-Brunt over backward point by going across the crease. She then lofted the ball over the bowler’s head and pulled over long leg for two consecutive sixes, the first of which brought her fifty runs in just 27 balls.
Jemimah dutifully slog-swept Hayley Matthews over long-on for six in the penultimate over while having protection on the leg-side. She then walked over again to sweep past a diving short fine leg for four more runs, leaving her undefeated on 69 off 33 balls, with 56 runs coming off her final 19 balls.
Even though Jemimah’s first experiences with the bat in the WPL 2024 were far from ideal, she seized the chance to develop, especially in being true to herself. Her close friend from the national setup, RCB captain Smriti Mandhana, as well as her teammates at DC, provided her with support.
“In the sense that I was attempting to play something that I wasn’t, simply trying to hit that note because I wanted to maintain the tempo.” Or, you know, occasionally you just have to see everyone else go there and say “bang, bang” and think, “I need to do it for the team too.”
“However, Arundhati (Reddy, my DC teammate) really helped me,” I said. Then, when I was sitting down with Larris (Laura Harris), one of our team members, she really stated, “You have such good hands, you maneuver the field so well.” Just keep doing that; it will assist you.
“Just don’t try to be someone else, be a Jemimah Rodrigues and you’ll be fine,” Smriti messaged me following that game. When I spoke to my dad afterwards, he reiterated what I had heard: “You just play your game, just be positive, and just be yourself.” You easily locate the holes. Although no one can find gaps as well as you can, those who do so are strong. So, it will be quite beneficial to you if you just focus on your abilities.
“Lisa (Keightley, DC assistant coach) approached me and said the same thing even before I set foot on the pitch. “I understand how it feels to see everyone around you going in a particular direction. But since you are a highly important member of our team, merely staying true to your skills will benefit both the team and you. Jemimah remarked, “Those talks really helped me out a lot, and I’m really fortunate to have so many kind individuals in my life to support me and my DC team.
The Mumbai Indians’ bowling coach and mentor, the renowned Indian fast-bowler Jhulan Goswami, acknowledged that Jemimah’s knock took her bowlers off guard.
“Jemi (Jemimah) performed a terrific knock, without a doubt. Watching her bat was enjoyable, but not against us (laughs). Jokes aside, it was entertaining to observe how she constructed her innings. Her innings has a lot to teach us. She had a great day, but our bowlers had a poor day since we didn’t carry out our plans as intended.
“She was a young child on the Indian squad in 2017–18. She is currently a skilled cricket player. Her shot selection has improved, and she now possesses a great deal of control. Jemi is real and curious, which is what I find endearing about her. It’s encouraging to watch her bat in the competition thus far, Jhulan remarked.
Since Jemimah’s recognition of playing to her strengths produced a sparkling result in Delhi’s winning start at home, expect her to continue to perform at a high level in T20s while staying true to her style, which is as cold as the wind.