Jemimah Rodrigues shed light on how ICC’s new initiative has technological assistance, an advanced AI-based tool designed to monitor and filter abusive content online. The tool was developed by a tech company called GoBubble. “It was such a nice thing from ICC just to protect us and just to keep the game so pure and just, you know, just go out there and play cricket and enjoy cricket than dealing with all these things,” Jemimah Rodrigues spoke about how this initiative from the ICC helped them focus all their energies on playing the game on the field.
Jemimah Rodrigues emphasizes how being involved in franchise leagues around the globe opens up the opportunity to play with and against the best in the world. It also helps them to improve their game by adopting and getting used to playing in different conditions, while also providing them with much more game time.
“One of the best parts of playing franchise cricket is that you get used to the conditions and you get to play the top bowlers in women’s cricket and imagine just going out there and doing well. How much confidence you’ll get coming back into the Indian team when you know you’ve taken on these bowlers,” the stylish Indian middle-order batter described the benefits of doing well in a franchise tournament overseas and the kind of confidence it gives when you are back in national colors, representing your country at the international level.
During the press conference, Jemimah also reflected on her bond with Shikha Pandey and Jess Jonassen. The trio has almost made the habit of representing different franchises together around the world.
The trio came together for the first time in the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League in India when the Delhi Capitals picked them in the auctions. They also then went on to represent the Trinbago Knight Riders in the 3rd edition of the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) in 2024. The trio is once again reunited in the ongoing landmark 10th edition of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) with the inclusion of the Indian duo, Shikha Pandey and Jemimah Rodrigues in the Brisbane Heat set-up led by skipper Jess Jonassen.
“You want to have people you, you have a good connection with because you’ve played so much and at the same time who knows your game so well. So, you know, it’s just so much easier for Jess (Jonassen) to lead Shikha (Pandey) di and even to pick me in this team because she knows what Shikha (Pandey) di can bring to this team, she knows what I can bring to this team. So, it’s a really nice trio to have and I hope so this continues,” Jemimah Rodrigues spoke about knowing each other’s strengths having now played together for a significant amount of time.
Jemimah Rodrigues also revealed how the backing of her Brisbane Heat teammates helped her deliver a match-winning knock (61 off 40 balls) against the Adelaide Strikers. She was impressive on her Brisbane Heat debut on 2nd November 2024, she chipped in with a brisk innings (45 off 27 balls), stepping in at number three at the Junction Oval, Melbourne. However, she experienced a slight dip in form as she returned with scores (13 off 15 balls, and 5 off 3 balls) in her next couple of innings with the bat.
“I think the last two innings of mine didn’t go that well and Grace Harris and Laura Harris, both of them texted me and said, Jemi, you know, your over extra cover drive is the best. Don’t stop yourself from playing that. Even if you get out, it’s fine, but just keep dominating.
“So, I think that really helped me in today’s knock, you know, just to have that kind of backing, firstly from your team, that the team still believes in you and at the same time just, they’re like, no, we’re still going to take the positive route, we’re still going to play positive cricket and bat with intent. They were like just go all out and you know, that really helped me. This is something that I will take with me 100%,” Jemimah Rodrigues shared about the words of optimism coming from the Harris sisters and the message from the team.
The Indian middle-order batter also gave insights on her chat about clarity in batting with Kirby Short after their game against the Strikers at Gabba, Brisbane.
“Yeah, I think firstly clarity for me comes from assessing the conditions. Every pitch plays differently, and every bowler bowls differently. So firstly, that bowler on that particular pitch, what’s going to happen? So, it’s assessing the conditions, which shots are on for me. And the second thing would be just playing to the situation of the team. I try to keep it as simple as possible. So, the clarity comes from, yes, the first is about the conditions and the second is what the team requires of me. And third, would be just having intent and backing myself to do my job,” Jemimah Rodrigues spoke about what clarity in batting means to her.
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