A moment for Jemimah to make the stage her own

She came back into the India playing II with a fine show against NZ but now needs to find an even higher level

- Sanjjeev K Samyal

Jemimah Rodrigues has had a few setbacks in her limited overs career, but nothing quite prepared her for the shock of being dropped from the playing XI during the home World Cup against England at Indore. She deserved it but it still hurt.

Having established her place in the side after making her debut in 2018, the 25-year-old came into the tournaments a batter, who, at No 5, would hold the innings together for India in case of a collapse or provide impetus if that is the demand.

But, in life and in sport, things don’t always go to plan. Her campaign got off to a worst-possible start with a first-ball duck against Sri Lanka. She had similar dismissals in the next two games, falling leg before wicket, including another duck against South Africa.

With the team’s campaign in disarray after two consecutive defeats, a 21-ball 33 didn’t save her from the axe when India decided to experiment with an extra bowler for the game against England.

With the changes not having the desired result, the team management decided to draft Jemimah back into the playing Il for the high stakes game against New Zealand.