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Jemimah Rodrigues's journey in international cricket has been a testament to perseverance and resilience. After facing setbacks, including being dropped from the white-ball setup and fluctuating batting positions, she finally achieved her long-awaited maiden international century. This milestone was particularly significant because it came while batting in her current designated middle-order position, a testament to the team management's strategic decision to utilize her strengths effectively. The achievement itself was a moment of immense personal triumph, signifying years of hard work and dedication, culminating in a three-figure score after 41 innings spanning nearly seven years since her ODI debut in 2018. Her joy was palpable in the post-match press conference, where she expressed relief and happiness at finally accomplishing this goal for her team.
Rodrigues's century was not just a personal milestone; it played a pivotal role in India's record-breaking ODI total of 370/5, their highest ever. This mammoth score set the stage for a resounding 116-run victory over Ireland, securing the series win for India with a match to spare. Despite this double triumph, Rodrigues remained grounded and focused on areas for further improvement, showcasing a mature and competitive mindset. Her ambition extended beyond this victory, expressing hope for an even greater score of 400 runs in the next match, highlighting her commitment to constant growth and excellence.
The success of the Indian team wasn't solely reliant on Rodrigues's performance. The new opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal made significant contributions, consistently showcasing their growing partnership. They contributed fifties each, forming their third century stand in only five innings together, highlighting their remarkable synergy and effectiveness at the top of the order. Their partnership of 156 runs was also the fastest 150-plus stand by an Indian pair in ODIs, providing a robust foundation for India's aggressive batting approach. This solid platform at the beginning of the innings allowed Rodrigues and Harleen Deol to strategically manage their innings, capitalizing on the initial momentum despite the temporary setback of losing both openers in quick succession. Rodrigues's approach demonstrated strategic thinking and tactical execution, highlighting the collaborative nature of successful team performances.
While Rodrigues acknowledged the ease provided by the opening pair's strong start, she emphasized her own calculated approach to reaching her century. She explained that she initially focused on a risk-free strategy, conserving her wicket and building her innings steadily until the 40th over. This disciplined approach contrasted with her previous attempts, where she might have been more aggressive, sometimes resulting in early dismissals. Her patience and calculated risk-taking were crucial in converting her strong start into a significant score. She only really focused on reaching the century when she neared the 80-run mark. Her ability to adapt her approach throughout the innings, showcasing both patience and aggressive hitting, underlines her growth as a player and her capacity to strategize effectively based on the match situation.
Rodrigues’s emotional vulnerability and ability to channel those emotions positively was also highlighted. She confessed to being angry with herself after a poor performance in the previous game, but underlined the importance of maintaining a positive self-image to overcome setbacks. Drawing strength from past successes, including centuries in the U-19 level and a double century, she consciously applied past strategies to her current situation. This demonstrated not only resilience but also a deep understanding of her own strengths and how to effectively channel her emotions to improve her game. This self-awareness and ability to learn from past mistakes are key indicators of a mature and highly-skilled cricketer.
Finally, Rodrigues expressed her gratitude for the enthusiastic support of the home crowd in Rajkot. She described the energy of the crowd as being at another level and how she thrived on feeding off that energy. She highlighted the positive impact of the Saurashtra Cricket supporting schools to come and watch the game, emphasizing the potential of inspiring young girls to take up the sport. This aspect of the game highlights the importance of role models and how success on the field can lead to a larger impact on the growth of the game in India.
Source: 'It was a long awaited one' - Jemimah Rodrigues on maiden ton