Pep talk from Rohit, Pant helped Jemimah Rodrigues deal with disappointment of getting dropped

Jemimah Rodrigues starred in India's 34-run win over Sri Lanka in the 1st T20 at Dambulla on Thursday (June 23). The Indian batting star top-scored for the visitors, returning to dressing room after scoring 36 off 27 balls including 3 fours and 1 six respectively. Speaking after her match-winning knock, Rodrigues spoke on how she worked hard on her comeback to the Indian team. Not to forget, she was dropped from the India squad for the World Cup earlier this year. She said that she has been working hard on her game and the words from Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant has helped her regain her form. 

.@JemiRodrigues bags the Player of the Match award for her solid batting effort. _#TeamIndia begin the tour on a winning note as they beat Sri Lanka by 34 runs in the first #SLvIND T20I. __

Scorecard _ https://t.co/XZabWPxI67 pic.twitter.com/XHKtCMc1mA

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) June 23, 2022

The chirpy cricketer said that she is blessed to have spoken to the likes of Rohit and Pant. Jemimah, who was not part of India's World Cup squad in New Zealand, marked her return to international cricket with a vital 27-ball 36 not out to give India enough runs to defend in the first T20 International here on Thursday.

"My journey since the last Sri Lanka tour has not been smooth, it had its ups and downs. I have spoken to Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant, they told me these moments will define your career, they told me not to take it (being dropped from the squad before the World Cup) in a negative way," Jemimah said at the post-match press conference.

"They told me I should take up the challenge and move ahead. I am blessed to have spoken to them." Coming in at number five, Rodrigues did not succumb to the pressure created by the Sri Lankan bowlers and scored some crucial runs, hitting three fours and a six. India posted 138 for 6 and the visiting bowlers choked the Sri Lankans to secure a convincing 34-run victory.

"I have understood my game better in the four-five months, I have become calmer, I have changed though my height remains the same," said Jemimah.

"I started preparing right after I was dropped."

Coming into the middle at a crucial juncture of the innings, Jemimah said she was nervous to start with.

"This innings means a lot, I was nervous initially but the late cut boundary helped me a lot in easing things up. I am back in the side after 4-5 months or maybe more than that. I was pumped up."

Asked about the pitch, she said, "I don't know, it is more like the pitch where I stay in Mumbai. The pitches are similar, so I am used to playing in these conditions. I love this country, it is a very beautiful country. It is a privilege to come here and the love we are getting from the board is great."

With PTI inputs