Jemimah Rodrigues keen to look forward after India’s ignominious opener
India will be looking for a response and fast following Friday’s heavy defeat to New Zealand in their opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.
New Zealand secure complete win over India in Dubai | Match Highlights | WT20WC 2024.
The 58-run loss to the third-highest ranked team in Group A leaves India in a tricky early position in the standings, with defending champions Australia the favourites to top a group that is fascinatingly poised after two results that defied the form book.
And batter Jemimah Rodrigues knows the team need to move on from the disappointment quickly.
“Going forward I think we need to have the right approach because the tournament’s not over,” Rodrigues said in India’s post-match press conference.
“We need to take some positives from this game and a lot of learnings from this game.”
Jemimah Rodrigues dissects India's loss to New Zealand | WT20WC 2024
India were on the back foot early in the game as New Zealand’s openers got off to a fast start, but Rodrigues says the pace of the Kiwis’ scoring did not come as a surprise.
“We knew that any team will come hard at us, and I think they came out with a lot of intent. We did create opportunities, but unfortunately we didn’t make the most of it.”
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India’s number four instead opted to look at her own part in a batting display that fell way short of the team’s expectations.
Rodrigues chipped a simple catch to mid-on to depart for 13, and the 24-year-old annoyed at herself for not playing more of a rebuilding role after the team had earlier slipped to 42/3.
“I know with my game I’m ready to bat anywhere the team wants me. Today, because I was batting well, I had some form in the warm-up games, it was my responsibility to make sure we built a partnership after losing wickets.
“Today would be the game we’d like to forget. This is a World Cup and we need to keep moving on and picking ourselves up – we can’t say stuck on this game. We need to pick ourselves up and show the character of this team.”
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Next up for India’s it’s a fixture against neighbours Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday – a match that now takes on even greater significance, with the 2020 finalists needing a victory to stabilise the campaign.
But Pakistan will not be an easy test on the evidence of their opening-day performance, which saw them upset Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka.
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India’s remaining fixtures
India v Pakistan on Sunday 6 October – Dubai International Cricket Stadium
India v Sri Lanka on Wednesday 9 October – Dubai International Cricket Stadium
India v Australia on Sunday 13 October – Sharjah Cricket Stadium
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