In the Asian Games 2023, India’s women’s cricket team clinched the gold medal by defeating Sri Lanka by 19 runs in the final. This remarkable victory prompted Jemimah Rodrigues to extend a special message to the men’s cricket team. She urged them to set their sights on the coveted gold medal.
Batting first, India posted 116 for seven on a difficult batting track before the Titas Sadhu-led bowling attack restricted Sri Lanka to 97 for eight in 20 overs.
“We have communicated with the men’s team. We have informed them that we are bringing the gold; please bring it as well,” Rodrigues said to the reporters.
“It feels wonderful. Being the first Indian cricket team to win the gold makes it even more remarkable, and it will cause people to look back in history and realize that this was the squad that actually won the first-ever gold in cricket at the Asian Games. It’s an incredible feeling,” she continued.
For Rodrigues, adding to India’s medal total at the Games was a source of great pride.
“It’s a really different feeling, and having this India shirt on gives you a distinct sense of pride. We may also add India a medal as a sporting nation,” she added.
She also highlighted the significance of her partnership with Smriti Mandhana, which proved pivotal in the low-scoring match. Rodrigues and Mandhana combined for a crucial 73-run partnership for the second wicket.
“It wasn’t easy since Sri Lanka put up a decent fight for us. We had to put in a lot of effort because of how well their bowlers bowled. I’m very proud of the girls, and I think the way we performed today shows who we are as players. The Sri Lankan bowlers were at the peak of their game, so my partnership with Smriti (Mandhana) was crucial. We are glad the way we played and built the partnership. Other girls came in and chipped in with valuable runs,” Rodrigues added.
In conclusion, Rodrigues praised the overall experience in China.”In general, the manner in which everyone in China welcomed us has been wonderful. Since there has been a communication issue, it has not been simple. But they (the organizers) went above and above to ease our stay and make us feel at home, she concluded.