Captain Jemimah turns up to potentially save Delhi’s WPL campaign as she finally steps up after 4 straight low scores.
Captain Rodrigues provides DC’s campaign a fillip with an inspirational knock.
You could tell a tale from the thump of the bat as Jemimah Rodrigues reverse-paddled Hayley Matthews to the boundary. It seemed as though a game that was on the verge of collapse had discovered its pivotal moment. Rodrigues’ batting partner, Marizanne Kapp, moved quickly to exchange a few words. Her facial expressions gave the impression that the message was to “breathe.” Remain composed. This is something we can handle.
Just moments before, Laura Wolvaardt had caused some flutters for the Delhi Capitals (DC) against the Mumbai Indians (MI) with a run out caused by a deflection off Nat Sciver-Brunt’s hand on her follow-through.
DC needed 18 off 13 balls before Rodrigues hit Matthews for that four. This was easy on paper, but it was far more difficult on a surface that had little in common with Navi Mumbai. At first, Rodrigues had trouble with timing. She almost scooped straight to her short fine leg in her first attempt to generate pace.
There would have been no way out if she had missed the entire delivery off which he reversed Matthews. However, this was more about using a technique she had been practicing for years because she had pliable wrists from playing competitive junior hockey as a child.
Rodrigues takes great satisfaction in being a touch player who, until you look up and understand how deep into her innings she is, keeps the scoreboard moving. This touch shot, rather than the boundary she had glided earlier in the over or the mowed six that Amelia Kerr parried over at cow corner, was what instantly broke the tension on Tuesday.
From a leadership perspective, this innings, in which she finished undefeated at 51 off 37 balls, was equally critical.
DC seemed to have put together a gun squad on paper. However, the captain has failed to deliver a hallmark knock after four games. Rodrigues was advised to bat higher, but for the benefit of the team, she chose a more challenging role. This decision paid off when the team required her adaptability on a sluggish surface.
Rodrigues had chopped while attempting to skilfully move the ball past short third in the last game of the Navi Mumbai leg. She had scored 4, 21, 15, and 1 in four innings. They also needed her to step up because DC’s campaign was at stake.
The fact that they were only hunting 155 was a huge aid, but Lizelle Lee was the only one who had been able to somewhat eliminate the surface. After Lee was run out in the eleventh over, Rodrigues came to the crease and flicked for four second balls. DC, however, went 20 balls without a boundary after that. Despite Sciver-Brunt going off pace, this made Rodrigues take a chance by trying the risky scoop. However, it was her night. She also needed to keep the side going because she had been fortunate early on.
The fact that Rodrigues made a lasting impression as captain in a crucial game should give DC the boost they need to maintain their chances of making the playoffs. Although their campaign hasn’t been easy thus far, when they are in a tight spot, they need look no farther than their skipper for motivation.