'If You Ever Wanted Us To Fire...'! Jemimah Rodrigues Proud Of DC Unit Despite Persistent Finals Hoodoo

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women’s team claimed their second Women’s Premier League title on Thursday with their 6-wicket win over Delhi Capitals at the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium.

Delhi posted a total of 203/4 thanks to Rodrigues’ 57 run-innings, while Lizelle Lee, Shafali Verma, Laura Wolvaardt, and Chinelle Henry all chipped in sizeable contributions. But, half-centuries from RCB skipper Smiriti Mandhana (87) and Georgia Voll (79) helped the ide from Bengaluru get over the line with 2 deliveries left to spare.

DC skipper Jemimah Rodrigues had to endure the Capital City side’s fourth straight defeat in the finals of the WPL, despite her valiant half-century, which went in vain.

“I couldn’t be more proud of this team. It wasn’t

easy for us, but the kind of character our girls showed for us to just make it to the finals is something I’m so proud of. And, you know, I couldn’t ask for anything better. They’re a great bunch of girls,” Rodrigues said following the gut-wrenching defeat.

“Not just that, but especially our support staff has worked tirelessly after us, making sure our environment’s great. And not just that, even our logistics and every single person.”

“You can see the DC fans there screaming, shouting every time. And yeah, all our DC fans all over the world. Thank you so much.”

“I think 204 in a final is always a great score. Hats off to the way we played as a team. I think we’ve been great. You know, if ever you wanted our team to fire and click, it was today. And I think we did that really well. There’s always, you know, okay, we could have done this better, that better. But I think everyone fought hard. Everyone gave their all. And sometimes that’s all, all that’s important. ”

Delhi seamer Nandni Sharma picked up 17 wickets through the T20 spectacle and pushed Gujarat Giants’ Sophie Devine all the way in the race for the purple cap, and Rodrigues stated that she had delivered much more than the side asked from her. Rodrigues also lauded the efforts of Minnu Mani, despite her crucial drop in the final, for her efforts in the campaign.

“I think the assessment has been great. You know, it’s easier if we start a tournament off well, but to pick ourselves up, even if it’s a senior player or even if someone like Niki and Rana, you know, the way they batted that day was phenomenal. They just showed that, you know, what kind of depth is there in Indian cricket.”

“And at the same time, Nandni, she’s been great. She honestly did more than what we asked her to do. And I’m so proud of her. Even Minnu, even Minnu for the way she’s fielded, the way she showed up. So it’s been a great bunch of girls, the experience coming in and as well as, you know, the youngsters learning. I think it’s been great.

“Everyone fought hard and everyone gave it their all and that’s sometimes all you want. The assessment has been great. To pick yourselves up even for a senior player is great,” she said despite DC’s fourth championship bout defeat in as many seasons of the tournament.

With the win, Mandhana joined Indian and Mumbai Indians’ skipper Harmanpreet Kaur in becoming the second woman to clinch the WPL crown twice.