Rodrigues, back in the tournament for her third stint after playing in 2022 for Melbourne Stars, has played four games for Brisbane Heat. In her most recent match, she scored a brilliant 61 from 40 balls, leading her team to victory over Adelaide Strikers. Her previous scores had been 13 and 5, but Rodrigues credited her change in approach to the support and motivation she received from her Heat team-mates.
Positive Encouragement from Team-Mates
“I didn’t have the best innings in the last two games,” Rodrigues shared. “But after those performances, Grace Harris and Laura Harris texted me. They said, ‘Jemi, your cover drive is the best. Don’t stop playing it, even if you get out. Just keep being aggressive!’ That positive feedback really boosted me during the Strikers match. It helped me feel supported by my team and motivated to keep playing with intent and confidence.”
Rodrigues believes that adopting a positive mindset has made a huge difference. “There’s a saying that when given two choices, always take the positive one. I’ve been working on applying that to my game, especially when things aren’t going well. After a couple of failures, I started doubting whether I should stick to my positive approach. But my team encouraged me to go all out, and that made all the difference. I’ll definitely carry this mindset forward, especially when playing against Australia.”
Gaining Confidence from International Leagues
Playing in various international leagues like the WBBL, WPL, and others has helped Rodrigues build confidence. These leagues give her the chance to face top-class bowlers from around the world and play in different conditions.
“Competing against the best in the world helps prepare me for big tournaments like the ODI World Cup,” Rodrigues said. “Every ground is different, and each game teaches me something new. Facing world-class bowlers in these leagues boosts my confidence and prepares me for future challenges with the Indian team.”
Preparing for the World Cup
India’s preparation for the World Cup is already underway, with a recent 2-1 ODI series win over New Zealand. Next, they will take on Australia in December in a three-match ODI series in Brisbane and Perth. Rodrigues believes playing in the WBBL is a great way to stay in form for these upcoming ODI matches, even though the formats differ.
“While the WBBL is a shorter format, it doesn’t change my approach,” Rodrigues explained. “I’ll still focus on playing positive cricket, but I’ll be more patient in the longer format. It’s about assessing the situation and adapting my game to score big and contribute as much as possible for India.”
Support for ICC’s Social Media Initiative
Rodrigues also praised the ICC’s recent initiative to tackle social media abuse in women’s cricket. The ICC trialed an AI tool to help protect players from harmful online comments, and Rodrigues welcomed the move.
“I think it’s great that the ICC is protecting players from social media abuse,” she said. “Sometimes, social media can be very harsh. We are all human, doing our best on the field, and it’s difficult when people post negative comments. The ICC’s initiative allows us to focus on our game without distractions. It’s a fantastic step forward to keep the sport pure and enjoyable for everyone.”