Jemimah Rodrigues will captain Mumbai in the Super League stage of the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy, starting in Ahmedabad on November 14. The India batter returned after a four-month layoff caused by a hamstring injury. She made a comeback in Mumbai’s sixth league match in Pune on Friday, scoring 107 off just 47 balls against Pondicherry. Her century helped Mumbai win by 83 runs and secure a place in the Super League stage.
Before that hundred, Rodrigues had shown form. She scored 58 off 41 balls against Delhi and then made an unbeaten 26 off 19 balls against Uttar Pradesh in a nine-over game. Her 107 against Pondicherry was her biggest score and came in Mumbai’s final league match. The performance came at a key time for Mumbai as they finished their league campaign with a win. The result moved Mumbai into the next stage, with Rodrigues set to captain.
Mumbai head coach Ajay Kadam praised Rodrigues’ approach on the Pune pitch. The ball was not coming nicely onto the bat, the bounce was low, and it was not a flat pitch. Rodrigues responded by finding gaps instead of depending on powerful shots. “Jemi’s century yesterday was quite good, because the ball wasn’t coming nicely on the bat. There was low bounce, it wasn’t a flat pitch, but she placed the ball well, piercing the gap between two fielders, instead of trying to hit the ball hard,” Kadam told TOI.
Rodrigues came to the crease in the fifth over and began with two paddle sweeps, which gave her two twos and provided Mumbai momentum. She then built her innings according to the conditions and reached her century in the last over. Kadam felt she showed good control. “She played very smartly; it was a smartly built innings, as, realising the nature of the wicket, she didn’t want to go for big shots,” he said.
During the league stage, Rodrigues did not captain Mumbai because she joined the team late. Manali Dakshini led the side during that period, while Rodrigues is the captain of Delhi Capitals. Kadam said Rodrigues was comfortable. “Jemimah was fine with that. She has no issues with that. She’s a team player,” Kadam said. She will now take charge of Mumbai when the Super League begins in Ahmedabad on November 14.
Kadam highlighted the effect Rodrigues has had on Mumbai’s dressing room since joining the team. Her experience has added energy to the group, while her presence has given the players confidence. He said the girls look up to her. “Jemimah has definitely added a lot of energy to our dressing room. She has gained vast experience by now. Her presence matters a lot. The girls look up to her,” he said. Her scores of 58, 26 not out and 107 have marked her return after the four-month hamstring injury layoff.
Mumbai will now enter the Super League with Rodrigues as captain after the 83-run victory over Pondicherry secured their place in the next stage. Her return has included scores of 58, 26 not out and 107, with the innings standing out as her biggest performance. The Super League starts in Ahmedabad on November 14, and Rodrigues will lead Mumbai after the league stage.
(Quotes sourced from TOI)
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