Jemimah Rodrigues rocks, elevated as Delhi Capitals skipper
Jemimah Rodrigues has been justly rewarded for her recent performances, notably in the ICC World Cup victory where Harmanpreet Kaur and company emerged trumps. On Tuesday, 25-year-old Jemi, full of energy and ‘josh’ was named captain of Delhi Capitals for the forthcoming Women’s Premier League.
It has been an up and down year for Jemi, who has battled lows as well and wept. But then, when she smashed that 127 against Australia in a record chase for India to enter the final, the girl from Bandra had exploded into brilliance. Riled and ridiculed for reasons other than cricket, Jemi has been one of the most emotional players. Her performance in the semi-final was driven by willpower and what she described as “Jesus” being with her. Indeed, she was blessed she could turn in an adrenaline-felted performance off and on in the World Cup. She was not picked for all matches, but the semi-final knock, a blistering one, was defining.
Once that chapter was over, Jemi showed how much of a buddy she is for Smriti Mandhana, who had a personal upheaval in her life after her marriage snapped one day before the nuptial. Following that, Jemi made it clear she was not going to return to the Big Bash League for her side at Sydney. She wanted to be with her pal Smriti, a gesture which has resonated globally. People said Jemi had forgone money, but she got support from her BBL team as well. This facet showed how much she values human relations.
Indeed, news of Jemi being named captain of Delhi Capitals was on the cards after Leg Manning had moved to another side in the WPL. It is to the credit of the Delhi side they have picked a bubbly girl, who has been with the side for three years.
“It is an honour to be named captain of the Delhi Capitals and I am deeply grateful to the owners for placing faith in me,” said Jemimah Rodrigues in an official statement. At a young age to be given a leadership role, this is important. She has been rewarded for maintaining relations with her team like “a family.”
“Jemimah was the first name in the DC squad when the WPL began and perfectly embodies our values. She has played a pivotal role in the franchise’s journey,” said Kiran Kumar Grandhi, Chairman and co-owner of Delhi Capitals.
On a day when cricket news came in various ways, if the elevation of Jemi was welcomed by one and all, what has happened in the English side in Australia is crazy. There are more than allegations the side which lost 0-3 and surrendered the Ashes to Australia was on a drinking binge, before the third Test in Adelaide.
Team director Rob Key has defended England’s mid-tour break in Noosa but binge drinking has now grabbed headlines. And for the wrong reasons.
“If there’s things where people are saying that our players went out and drank excessively than of course we will be looking into that,” said Rob Key. The challenge for England is battling extreme negativity on and off the field. It is one thing to play bad cricket and lose and quite another to indulge in binge drinking. Imagine, instead of battling and fighting in the Ashes, they have reduced themselves to wastrels.
