By Zainab Shafiq 
Indian Cricket sensation Jemimah Rodrigues is all set for her preparation routines for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup this coming October in the UAE. Known for her cool, calm demeanor under pressure and raising her game at the right time, Rodrigues is to hone her skills in preparation for the Women’s T20 World Cup with participation in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League for the Trinbago Knight Riders.
Rodrigues, a T20 globetrotter who has made a name for herself through stints in the Hundred and the WBBL, termed this WCPL stint as an integral part of her World Cup preparation.
“I look at it more as a preparation for the T20 World Cup, and at the same time an added responsibility playing for TKR to do whatever I can to make sure my team wins at the end”
This young cricketer, whose international journey in the Indian jersey began back in 2018 as a teenager, was going through a tough phase in her career in 2021. She turned things around while representing the Northern Superchargers in the Hundred, and an unbeaten 92 in her very first game helped her get back that confidence and also marked her resurgence.
She will probably bat at No. 3 in the WCPL, a different role than what she usually does for India at No. 5. That, Rodrigues said, is part of learning to adapt to different conditions, a skill she believes is important in succeeding in a high-pressure tournament like the World Cup. Rodrigues said playing competitive matches was more important to her than the practice games as it gears her up for the challenges ahead.
“The more you’re in that situation and in those pressure moments I think that’s the best preparation you can have, so for me, I look at it more as a preparation for the T20 World Cup, and at the same time an added responsibility playing for TKR to do whatever I can to make sure my team wins at the end, so I’m just looking forward to playing these matches and I’m very excited for that.”
Even as Rodrigues continues to get ready for the World Cup, much of her attention is reserved for getting a good handle on the playing conditions, especially on the slower pitches in the Caribbean. Her approach is simple yet effective: know the conditions, pick the right shots and always be clear about execution.
“I think every batter has their own formula,” Rodrigues explained of the challenges of batting on slower Caribbean surfaces. “But I think for me, it’s very important to assess the conditions quickly and know which shots work for me on a slower track. For me, just knowing which shots work and having that clarity and going out there with clarity helps wherever I play. For me, the basic formula is just having clarity and applying yourself and playing wherever you’re playing.”