Jemimah Rodrigues is India's favourite daughter at the moment after her heroics in the Women's World Cup semi-final against Australia in Navi Mumbai on Thursday, October 30. The right-handed batter slammed an unbeaten 127 off 134 balls, helping the Women in Blue chase down a record 339-run target to end the defending champions' run in the marquee event.
After the match, an emotional Jemimah revealed how difficult it was for her to deal with her snub from the playing XI during the clash against England
earlier in the tournament. However, after her comeback, she smashed 76* off 55 balls against New Zealand in a virtual quarter-final clash. In the subsequent encounter against Bangladesh, Jemimah didn't get to bat but came up trumps versus the Aussies.
Former India pacer Varun Aaron praised head coach Amol Muzumdar for dropping Jemimah, mentioning that it helped reignite the fire in the 25-year-old.
"Great move by Amol Muzumdar because sometimes, as a coach, you need to identify who are these players who just need that little needle, who just need that little poke to ignite that fire, and that's what he did with Jemi," said Aaron on Star Sports.
The cricketer-turned-commentator opined that Jemimah has looked more focused since returning to the side, as she has a point to prove.
"After that drop, she is really focused, zoned in. I think all that anxiety would have made place for pure aggression, because sometimes when you are playing a World Cup, when you were dropped from the previous World Cup, you just want to prove a point so badly," he added.
India will lock horns with South Africa in the summit clash on Sunday, November 2, at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. The Proteas made it to the finals after defeating England by 125 runs in a one-sided semi-final in Guwahati.
India and South Africa had faced each other earlier in the tournament. Harmanpreet and Co. were bowled out for 251 in 49.5 overs in Visakhapatnam. South Africa chased the target in 48.5 overs with three wickets to spare.
