Rajkot, January 12, 2025 – India's talented batter Jemimah Rodrigues has ended her long wait for an international century, playing a pivotal role in India's commanding performance against Ireland in the second Women's ODI. Rodrigues' brilliant knock of 102 not only marked her maiden century but also propelled India to their highest-ever ODI total of 370.
Patience and Shift in Momentum Key to Rodrigues' Success
Reflecting on her innings, Rodrigues shared, "It feels great; it was a long-awaited one, and I'm glad I could do it for the team today." Her approach was methodical and focused, starting with patient batting before accelerating to reach her century. "I just tried to keep small targets and achieved them step by step. And I liked the way I shifted gears today," she added.
From Under-19 to International Cricket: Rodrigues' Journey
Drawing inspiration from her Under-19 days, particularly an unbeaten 202 while playing for Mumbai, Rodrigues has continually aimed to bring her best form to the international stage. Despite a disappointing score in the first ODI, she remained positive, which she believes is crucial for her performance. "I got back to what I used to do during my Under-19 days, and today I tried to apply it, and it came off well," Rodrigues explained.
Strategic Partnership and Team Dynamics
Rodrigues also highlighted the role of her teammates, particularly her partnership with Harleen Deol, who scored 89. Together, they built a 183-run stand, stabilizing the innings after a couple of quick wickets. "If your openers give you that kind of a start, it's always much easier to handle the middle overs," she noted, appreciating the solid foundation laid by Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal.
A Celebration Seven Years in the Making
After reaching her century, Rodrigues celebrated by mimicking playing a guitar with her bat, a gesture she had been looking forward to for years. "I’ve been waiting to do that for the last seven years," she said with a smile.
Looking Ahead: Goals for Future Matches
With this milestone achieved, Rodrigues is now setting her sights on future accomplishments, hoping to help the team breach the 400-run mark in upcoming games. "It feels good, but there are a lot of places we can still improve as a team because we always look to keep improving," she stated, emphasizing the team's ambition to continuously elevate their game.
Rodrigues' century is not just a personal triumph but a beacon of inspiration for her teammates and fans, promising more exciting cricket from this young star in the future.
