Indian cricket has experienced more setbacks in this year's international tournaments than in previous years. The rise of limited-overs cricket in the women’s game has introduced many new players, but many have struggled to maintain their form. Despite some memorable performances on the field, India’s women's team faced disappointment by exiting the T20 World Cup in the group stages. They also lost in the Asia Cup finals to Sri Lanka and suffered defeat in the recent ODI series.
Amidst these results, the vision for the Indian women’s team seems unclear. The performances of senior players have been underwhelming this year, while the emergence of young talent has not been as pronounced as expected. Although Smriti Mandhana receives appreciation for her centuries, many overlook the consistent contributions of Jemimah Rodrigues. Despite facing a challenging year overall, Rodrigues has been an underrated performer for the Indian women’s team.
India has showcased its supremacy in T20 cricket for the past few years, but recently, the team's fortunes have declined, particularly after the Asia Cup finals and the T20 World Cup. A key issue lies in the middle order; apart from Jemimah Rodrigues, other players, including captain Harmanpreet Kaur, have not displayed good form this year.
In contrast, Jemimah Rodrigues has had an exceptional year in terms of individual performance, particularly with her crucial contributions in the middle order. Time and again, she has been the backbone of India’s batting, rescuing the team from low-scoring situations and providing much-needed stability. Her ability to anchor the innings and play aggressive strokes when required has made her a standout performer.
Even in the face of losses, her consistent performances have been one of the few positives for the Indian team. In the ongoing home series against the West Indies, her match-winning knock of 75(35) demonstrated her ability to turn games in India’s favor. The timing of her rise in her career is particularly promising, as the emergence of talent from the Women’s Premier League (WPL) offers India the opportunity to build their future around her. Jemimah’s vital role in the middle order could be the foundation upon which the Indian women’s team builds its success in the coming years.
Jemimah Rodrigues Average Across the Formats in 2024
Test | ODI | T20I |
55 | 27.2 | 32.1 |
while the Indian women’s cricket team has faced significant challenges this year, Jemimah Rodrigues has proven herself as a reliable and consistent performer in the middle order. Her performances, though often overlooked, have been one of the few bright spots amid the team's struggles. With her ability to deliver under pressure and her growing recognition in leagues like the Women's Big Bash and the Hundred, Rodrigues' rise is a promising sign for India's cricketing future. As the team looks to rebuild and evolve, Jemimah Rodrigues could very well emerge as a key figure leading the charge for India's women’s cricket team in the coming years.
