On Thursday, India’s star batter Jemimah Rodrigues accepted that India’s heart wrenching loss against Australia in the semi-finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup is still haunting the Indian women’s squad, adding that the Women’s Premier League will play a good role to overcome the pain a bit.
Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah’s 69 runs partnership for the fourth-wicket had put India in a comfortable position to gain the victory in semi-final match but the end of the crucial partnership led to an undesirable loss against Australia.
In a Delhi Capitals event Jemimah said, “It has taken a while, honestly. We were in South Africa for two days after the semis. Everyone was not in a great headspace. But coming here (for WPL), being with the family for two days (has helped ease the pain).”
“Obviously it keeps haunting us but at the same time the WPL is a blessing in disguise because we are directly into this tournament, which will help us keep our mind off the negative thoughts and those things that keep haunting us. Keep working harder — that is how we can shift our focus,” she added.
Jemimah said that, she feels the Women’s Premier League will assist India to unearth such players who will make a difference in the upcoming future in cricket.
“We have been pushing the doors for a very long time, we are getting there, we are getting very close. But I am sure the WPL will change a lot for women’s cricket. You will find many superstars coming out from it, many leaders, or many match winners, I would say,” she said.
Talking about World Cup winning, Aussie captain Meg Lanning who is Jemimah team’s captain too, she said, “I do not know about the rest but I am going to keep picking her brains and keep annoying her. Not everyone gets the opportunity (to learn from such stalwarts) and I am getting it and I am looking forward to it.”
She added, “I was very excited to play under Meg in the WBBL (Big Bash League). Also (I) had a chat with her during the Commonwealth Games. But God has placed it in such a way that I am in the same team that too as a vice-captain. Maybe, I will be the closest to her, see how she works, how she thinks, how she makes decisions.