12 February - Cape Town - India player Jemimah Rodrigues post-match press conference
[Reporter]
You were not in great form before this tournament but came into form straight away in the opener. How does it feel?
[Jemimah]
Yeah, I think as a batter when you're not getting scores that's like, you know, it's not an enjoyable time definitely, but I was working really hard in the nets I knew I was putting in the efforts. I was working hard, ticking all the boxes going to the gym doing everything and had a lot of conversation with the she said about this because he's a very experienced coach and, I started speaking to him from there, you know, just this conversation with him. He just told me you know what, you're already dedicated good. You're working hard keep doing things will fall into place because honestly results are not in my control, but what is in my control is my efforts my hard work, and I made sure that every time I was on the field I was doing that I was doing it repeatedly, you know, and I was not seeing results, it was very tough, but I had to keep pushing myself and. Yeah, this this feels sweet you know, like when it mattered the most it came and like I'm grateful to Jesus and my parents were here today so it's even more special. They've never experienced an India Pakistan game. The first time in the stadium they're experiencing and it was very special for me.
[Reporter]
You missed the ODI World Cup. How was your time out of the team and how was it getting runs in front of your parents?
[Jemimah]
Yeah, I think this time last year where I was at home and I was not in a good headspace because it was dropped from the 50 World Cup. That was the toughest time for me, but if it is not for my family and my parents and my brothers and you know there's so many people, I go to name them you know 12 o'clock in the night, but there was so many people who helped me throughout this time my coach Prashant Shetty also. I mean, we worked really hard during that time, and I remember that, I was not okay mentally I had taken a break, because cricket is something I love playing for is something I love to do love to play and the World Cup is a dream for every cricketer and missing out on that, it took me a while, but I just think God just gave me the grace, each and every day to push it through. I remember, sometimes the weeks used to be so hard because we had two months there so every day felt so long. Those two months didn't get over it was like that - but what I used to do was every Sunday, I should treat myself, like go for a drive or give myself a coffee, saying well done on this week. So I just take it day by day, week by week and just these little things, and my friends also who supported me throughout this time so yeah I don't think I could have able to make a comeback without God and without the people.
[Reporter]
Jemima, you mentioned how tough it was and the support that you had. What were you able to tell yourself in those tough times to sort of get yourself here now?
[Jemimah]
Honestly, many a time I had nothing to tell myself. I had, there were so many times I had given up you know I didn't have the strength to carry and I know a lot of people say you need to back yourself you need to motivate yourself but when a person is going through, they only know what they're going through, but like I said if it was not for the people who believed in me at that time. When you can't believe, I was blessed that I had people who believed in me and helped me push through that time so I am just grateful to them and yeah, I am a strong believer in Jesus I knew if he's brought me so far, he won’t let me down here. I mean it's just a small phase of the bigger picture he has and that time actually changed me completely I changed the way I practice I changed the way I plan my innings and you know I understood my game better. I understood the value of good relationships at that time and, and, and at the same time it just, you know, it felt like that was that was one of the lowest phase of my life but it turned out to be the reason why I could come here today.
[Reporter]
Can you talk us talk to us a bit about that partnership that you had out there at the end with Richa because - was there a time when you decided to go as a senior player were you taking on the role.
(Jemimah)
She's matured a lot in recent times. Definitely, you know, I love batting with Richa and even the last warm up game actually gave us both a lot of confidence, because we had lost early wickets there against Bangladesh and we had a partnership of about 94-97 ish, and in the last 10 overs we ended up scoring 130. We knew any target is chaseable as long as we are there. So, what we both are talking was singles of every ball, whichever lose ball which they will bowl, that is our bonus. So, we ended up getting nine to 12 runs per over without doing anything. So that is a conversation we are having but yeah, we were very specific on which balls we needed to pick up and how we need to play sensibly at the same time, like we knew we had to take it through because it was set.
[Reporter]
Were you confident all the way through that that you could get there.
[Jemimah]
Yeah, I was confident throughout you know even when I think I remember it was 24 balls 41, you know, I knew any target is achievable. If we just keep doing the simple things correctly so I didn't focus about, you know, these many overs these many runs I took it over by over, try to have partnerships and which we are doing and that worked out for us.
[Reporter]
If you look at the batting line-up before the match you had Richa Ghosh, Shefali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemima. Very few fans thought that you could score the highest number of boundaries, eight boundaries in this run chase. Is it the Jemima Rodricks 2.0?
[Jemimah]
Honestly, I was just so much in the moment and in the game there that I didn't really realize all this I just - my role even when I come out today, I don't have to prove to anyone anything, you know, a lot of time it happens that, you know, you're making a comeback in the World Cup again you want to prove a lot this or that that is, I've done that in the past never worked for me. So I was like I don't have to prove to anyone anything - I've done well and that's why I'm here I perform and that's why I've got back in the team. So I was very confident with that and when I was batting out there I just thought of how I could help India win and just keeping that and target the small small partnerships, the experience you know playing matches, the experience you get the also BCCI sends us here early so that that that kind of helped us you know to get our combinations right or just get the game time that we needed you know and some space so I think that actually helped.
[Reporter]
This match was played in, in front of a beautiful noise made by not very many spectators actually what does it do for players when people come out from, I mean you're halfway across the world and but you still have so many fans what do you think it does for teams to have that kind of support.
[Jemimah]
Personally for me it always motivates and encourages me I am someone who really gets pumped up when this crowd is cheering. I like to take in that energy and so many times it's that energy that you know spreads inside the camp and you know hit a boundary everyone's cheering. It just lifts you up. I think we are very grateful that we get, you know, people are allowed to make noise and also so many spectators are here so I think that just pushes us. I’m grateful for and thankful to everyone who showed out over here in Cape Town.
[Reporter]
In the context of preparation, how important was the T20 series against Australia in December, you know that helped the Indian team, put up this performance today.
[Jemimah]
I think it was a very important series for as a try series against Australia especially that second game, you know that give us that belief that you know this team is something special. And if we play for each other and play to lift up India at the end. That's all matters and we can defeat any team - so you know this is a very young side but the kind of fight, the grit, you know, right from the Commonwealth, even before that it's building up. I'm not saying it just happened overnight it's a build-up, you know, all this and playing with the same team again and again, everyone's very sincere everyone's very honest, and everyone puts in a lot of hard work. Some things are not in our hands but what is in our hands is our efforts and our preparation, and that is what our focus has been throughout even when we started the Australia series. We are going to prepare for the World Cup. We are really not bothered about that's really not in our hands. But we are going to focus on what is in our hands and what we can do. And you know every match and every game is an experience even the tri series in fact against South Africa and West Indies. So, that is also you know, every match is an experience every match is a learning, you know, sometimes you get scared to make mistakes, but actually we shouldn't be scared because that's a learning, and that's going to help you somewhere where it matters the most so yeah.
[Reporter]
You mentioned the period that changed you completely. Can you give us or can you share some examples of maybe something you did change in practice or just yourself as to, you know, to become the player you are today.
[Jemimah]
Yeah, so I had, like I said I taken a break, then I went back to my coach Prashant Shetty and my dad also, so both of them together. We worked out a plan, like, in a week I had to play two games, like more match time, and the rest I would practice Sunday is my off. So, we had planned that but also the same time I was putting myself in challenging situations, I was not playing on flat wickets, I was playing on turning wickets you know in Mumbai I went to Azad Medan during that time and played matches in Azad Medan against the boys - over there. It is very challenging conditions you know in the morning there's so much due because I don't know if y'all know Azad Medan but it's huge ground, many pitches, nobody covers the ground, you can literally put your finger and the pitch goes inside. So, in that condition I had to play under 19 boys. And second innings it's totally drastic change you know it's turning square, and good quality bowlers but those little things I think in the first, first game there was a tournament first game I scored some 45 odd runs, and that gave me a lot of confidence that was like scoring an 80 on a flat track. So, putting myself in such situations actually helped me, getting out of my comfort zone. It was the most toughest part because I also played because we were playing domestic cricket too first before the international cricket could start so I played with under 14 boys. And the pressure of me being an India player playing with under 14 boys if I lose my wicket – it’s embarrassing - it's like that but I'm being very honest. So, I had a lot of thoughts in my head and that gave me that was a lot of pressure but I had to fight through those thoughts too. But I believe all these little things you know just build up and make you the player you are. And I am grateful for everything that happened. If you give me an option to go back and change things. I wouldn't change anything I like how my life is going.
[Reporter]
Tomorrow is women's Premier League auction. How excited are you about the auction and which franchises you want to be a part of, if given a chance.
[Jemimah]
Honestly, I just want to play the WPL I'm, I am not bothered which team is going to pick me and I just want to be a part of it, because it's a dream come true for everyone cricket in India and we waited very long for this and it's finally happening. So, we're very excited I think even if you ask the girls, even if you don't pay us anything we're still happy to go out there and play so I think this is going to change a lot for women's cricket in India. And yeah, getting these matches again and again and again that's what's going to help us grow and you know Shefali, Richa, these are fine from the women's T20 challenge imagine now we're having a large scale how much more, even the experienced players and even new players coming from them. We never know what's going to happen. So, we're very excited, looking forward to it.
[Reporter]
You seem to be much calmer, much relaxed in that space right now. Is the ghost of 2020 final, T20 final, when we were the runners-up, is it finally, is it a closed chapter now in your mind?
[Jemimah]
No, it's never a closed chapter. Even I would say that Commonwealth was still very fresh because it was a very similar situation. And we had a good partnership. But I lost my wicket at a very wrong time. That still haunts me. I believe it still haunts our team because for our bowling attack to restrict the team to 165 on that day against a full-blooded Australian side, I think credit goes to them. And even after losing two wickets to partnership, me and Harry, I think she was extraordinary that day. But yeah, it's all a learning, like I said. If not now, but it's surely and definitely going to happen in the future. And we are prepared for that. Maybe that's what's going to prepare our team for something bigger and greater that's in store for us in the future.
[Reporter]
All India versus Pakistan matches, all World Cup matches are important. But tomorrow is going to be a ground-breaking day for women's cricket, was there more pressure or at least a sort of acknowledgment that winning this game holds far more significance than just another World Cup game or just another India versus Pakistan match?
[Jemimah]
Yeah, I think India versus Pakistan, there's always a little more added pressure. We even spoke about it in the team meeting. Growing up, we've always watched these matches and watched it so close. I remember even watching the MCG match where Virat Kohli played such an extraordinary knock. So more than we didn't focus a lot, actually, we spoke about it. We were on it. We shared our experiences in the Aditi and Sir and Smriti and all. But then we just wanted to go out there and play and get the first win on board. It didn't matter even if today was West Indies or another team, we'd still play the same cricket. We would still have the same intensity. And we would still have the same approach. So, for us, we are just very grateful we got the first win on board. And we want to just continue this momentum because our team is looking good. We worked hard. We prepared well. Now it's just time to execute.
[Reporter]
This was your first experience against Pakistan. How did you hold your nerves? I mean, what was going on in your mind, especially end it was because probably your innings was a turning point of the match.
[Jemimah]
This is not my first innings against Pakistan. I've played quite a few innings in West Indies and even during the Commonwealth. But yeah, I just knew I had to kind of build a partnership, keep things simple, and take it as deep as possible because this is a game of cricket. One over can change everything. And I knew I had to be there since Smriti was not playing today. It was added responsibility on all the batters, I would say. And we all took that responsibility. We played for each other. And we wanted to do it even more. So, I think it was just about building partnerships, choosing the right balls, and putting it away.
[Reporter]
First of all, Sri Lanka and South Africa had defended under 140. What was going on when you got a 150-run target? Was it difficult? And secondly, when you were about to play your last five or six overs, what was going on in your mind? Did you have to tag a specific bowler? What did you have to do? Or did you have to go to the last over to hit?
[Jemimah]
When the score was made, we thought that if, according to us, with the bowling attack we have, if Pakistan has scored 150 plus, I knew that it is a good wicket. And if we play sensibly, any target is achievable. So, we were not bothered much about the pitch of 150 runs. We were more bothered about how we can achieve the smaller targets to win this bigger target. And me and Richa, we were targeting bowlers, definitely. There was a lot of talk and conversation happening. Even with Harmanpreet, we were constantly looking at the scoreboard. And we knew which bowler we can go after and which bowler we need to play a little sensibly. Because they were also bowling really well and not giving us a lot of easy options. And the wicket was on the slower side, so it was helping their spinners too. So, we just need to be sensible and play smartly. And that's what we did. And I'm glad the result went in our favour.
[Reporter]
You spoke about the support you got from your lovely family. Could you also speak a little bit about the support and the kind of support system you had in terms of your captain, your coach, your vice-captain, the team management? They've backed you through, since the Asia Cup, there's been a few low scores. But they've backed you thoroughly. So, if you could just speak about the conversations you had with them and the backing that you've received from them.
[Jemimah]
Yeah, my team has backed me a lot throughout this time. They've always given me a lot of confidence. And they knew what I was capable of. So, it's a nice feeling to get backed from Harry and from Rishi sir, and even having conversations with Smriti, Rishi sir. That really helped me a lot during this time. Especially with Rishi sir, I have spoken a lot throughout this time. And he is one person who understands cricket really well. He has a lot of experience. And he also knows what to say. He understands what a player goes through. So, I have had a lot of conversations. And that really helped me. And it's always a nice feeling when you're backed by your entire team. And your team believes and knows what you can do. It just gives you an extra boost and extra confidence. It was a really nice time. And I remember against West Indies in the Tri-Series I was around 42-0 out of some, Harry was with me. I went and I hugged and I told Harry, thank you for backing because that meant a lot to me. And she is a very important player for us. And you matter to us. And you play a crucial knock. Getting that kind of support always helps. Always helps. So, I am very grateful for that.
[Reporter]
So, what are the sort of improvements you are looking at this team? It's a great win. But there are still scope of improvement. So, what are the areas you think India need to improve going forward?
[Jemimah]
Definitely, there are a lot of areas. I think one would be our fielding. We've been working really hard on our fielding. Did brilliant fielding too at the same time. But maybe few catches and this little less. But again, it's all a learning process. We are still going to work hard. Still going to put in the efforts. Still going to do what we can and try and execute the same thing in the match. That is one. And I think I don't have much time because I still need to sink that has happened. But I think one thing that's on top of my mind would be our fielding. And we are looking to improve. And I know this team is going to be one of the best fielding sites in the future.