Jemimah Rodrigues Talks About India-Pakistan Rivalry and Team India’s World Cup Hopes

New Delhi, India – With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup starting on October 3, the Indian women’s cricket team is gearing up to win their first-ever title. India will begin their campaign against New Zealand on October 4.

Adjusting to the Heat

Jemimah Rodrigues shared her experience of adjusting to the heat in the UAE. She said, “The first day was tough. We weren’t sure what to expect. Yesterday felt a bit like Mumbai because of the humidity, but it’s very hot here. I think everyone in the team is slowly getting used to the heat. We’re trying to spend more time outside to condition our bodies to the weather.”

India-Pakistan Rivalry

Rodrigues reflected on the India-Pakistan rivalry, saying, “I was born in 2000, but the rivalry started long before that. What makes the India-Pakistan game so exciting and competitive is the fans. The stadium atmosphere is electric, and being part of it is a dream come true for me.”

Team Dynamics

Discussing the team’s dynamics, Rodrigues said, “Women’s cricket has been changing throughout the years. Every generation has its own specialty and way of playing. For this team, it’s a mix of absolute youngsters and some like me who have had experience. Richa and Shafali have also played World Cups before, so we are young but not inexperienced. Then we have Harman and Smriti, who have played more World Cups than all of us. That coming together is the strength of this team.”

Memorable Performance

Rodrigues recounted her memorable performance against Pakistan, saying, “First and foremost, India won. There’s no better feeling than hitting the winning runs and taking your team over the line. My parents were watching the match live in the stadium, and lifting my bat to them was an unforgettable moment.”

2018 World Cup

Reflecting on the 2018 World Cup, Rodrigues said, “In the 2018 World Cup, I remember Smriti playing an outstanding knock. Our team dominated that match, and the way we executed our game plan was incredible.”

Praise for Teammates

On Smriti Mandhana, she said, “What stands out about Smriti is her maturity. Even though she’s young, she understands the game and her role so well. I often joke and call her ‘Buddhi’ (old woman), but her cricketing brain is sharp.”

Rodrigues praised her captain, saying, “Harman di is a big-match player. We’ve seen it time and again — from her 171 in the World Cup to her performances in key matches. As a team, we know how much this World Cup means to her, and we want to win it for India and for her.”

Rivalry with Australia

Discussing the rivalry with Australia, she said, “I love playing against Australia because you have to bring your A-game. There’s no other option if you want to win. The rivalry has been intense over the years, and it brings out the best in us.”

Playing Smart

“For me, it’s not about specific bowlers but about playing to the situation. Bowlers can have off days, and as a batter, I need to assess which bowler to attack and when to hold back,” Jemimah said.

Admiration for Sophie

“Sophie is a wonderful person and has done so much for New Zealand cricket. I remember watching her hit five sixes in a row at my first Under-19 camp at Chinnaswamy Stadium. It was incredible, and since then, I’ve always admired her game,” she concluded.

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is set to commence on October 3rd, and all eyes are on Team India as they look to create ‘HerStory’ in their pursuit of a first-ever title.