As Jemimah joins India’s ODI squad, Lauren Winfield Hill steps in for Brisbane Heat’s first two games. The Heat face a challenging start with the return match against Adelaide Strikers, who defeated them in last year’s final.

Jemimah Rodrigues set to miss Brisbane Heat’s initial WBBL matches

Indian cricket star Jemimah Rodrigues will miss the first two matches for Brisbane Heat in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2024 due to her commitment to India’s ODI series against New Zealand. Rodrigues, known for her explosive batting, will be in Ahmedabad as part of the Indian team for the series against Sophie Devine’s New Zealand squad at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Stepping in for Rodrigues is England wicketkeeper-batter Lauren Winfield Hill, who has experience with the Heat from their inaugural WBBL season in 2015.

Rodrigues’ recent performance in the Women’s T20 World Cup drew attention, though India, captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, narrowly missed the semifinals. Her absence in the WBBL early games will undoubtedly test Brisbane Heat’s lineup, especially as they kick off the season with a rematch against the Adelaide Strikers.

Brisbane Heat’s opening clash: A rematch of last year’s final

The Heat will begin their 2024 WBBL campaign against the Adelaide Strikers on Sunday, October 27, at the Adelaide Oval. This game marks a rematch of last year’s WBBL final, where the Strikers edged past the Heat with a narrow three-run victory. In the previous face-off, the Strikers set a target of 126, successfully defending it by restricting the Heat to 122 for eight. Star leg-spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington won Player of the Match honors for her impressive bowling figures of 4-0-16-3, while Laura Wolvaardt and Bridget Patterson contributed with critical runs.

See Also: Watch: Rishabh Pant's controversial run out in Pune Test

The Adelaide Strikers, featuring Smriti Mandhana, now boast the Indian opener as part of their lineup. Mandhana, on her third WBBL franchise stint, previously represented Brisbane Heat and Sydney Thunder. Along with Mandhana and Rodrigues, four other Indian players—Deepti Sharma, Yastika Bhatia, Shikha Pandey, and Dayalan Hemalatha—will participate in this season’s WBBL, marking a strong Indian presence in the tournament.

Meanwhile, the Melbourne Renegades have signed England’s Linsey Smith as a left-arm spinner. Smith’s duration in the WBBL will depend on her potential selection for England’s upcoming tour of South Africa beginning November 24.

Former India Women’s captain Mithali Raj is unhappy with the Indian Women's performances in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the United Arab Emirates. 

Harmanpreet Kaur-led India Women disappointed in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, where they finished in the third place of Group A with four points after four matches. They ultimately failed to qualify for the semifinals. 

India Women started the tournament with a massive 58-run defeat against New Zealand Women. While the White Ferns scored 160 runs, India Women only managed to score 102 runs. 

Although India Women comfortably beat Pakistan Women and Sri Lanka Women by six wickets and 82 runs, respectively, they suffered a close nine-run defeat against the six-time champions Australia Women.

Since 2016, Harmanpreet Kaur has been leading the Indian team. While she has already led India Women in four Women’s T20 World Cups, the latest tournament has seen the worst performances. In three previous tournaments, India Women qualified at least for the semifinals, including finishing as the runners-up in the 2020 edition. 

I would go for a young captain: Mithali Raj

Mithali Raj feels that the Indian team needs a young captain, and it is the right time to change the leadership.  

Raj told PTI, "If the selectors decide to change, I would go for a young captain. This is the time [to change]; if you delay more then we have another [ODI] World Cup on the horizon [October 2025]. If you are not doing it now, then don't do it later. Then it is too close to the World Cup.

Smriti Mandhana has been playing the vice-captain role since 2016. However, Raj feels that Jemimah Rodrigues will be a better captaincy option due to her young age. The former India Women’s captain is very impressed with the 24-year-old middle-order batter. 

Raj said, "Smriti is there but I think someone like Jemimah [Rodrigues], she's 24, she's young, she will serve you more. And [she] is someone who I feel on the field gets that energy. She speaks to everybody. I was very impressed by her in this tournament.”

While Kaur was the leading run-scorer for India Women in the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup with 150 runs in four innings, including two half-centuries, Rodrigues played some cameo roles with the bat. 

Raj continued her support for Rodrigues, "Despite playing those cameo roles, she never could convert her starts, but [she is] someone who really made an effort to build a momentum if there was no momentum; and if there was momentum, she tried to carry that momentum [forward]."

We were not quick enough to adjust

While the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup has been playing on slow pitches in the United Arab Emirates, Raj blamed India’s failure to adjust the conditions. 

Raj claimed, "Surprisingly, we took time to adjust to the slowness of the wicket. Unlike an ODI World Cup, it is a short tournament, you don't have a lot of time to adjust to the conditions. Someone like [New Zealand captain] Sophie Devine was able to score that many runs [57 not out] against us and she is not used to playing on slow tracks. We were not quick enough to adjust."

I've not really seen any growth in this team: Mithali Raj

Raj is also disappointed with the slow growth in Indian women’s cricket in recent years. 

The former Indian captain said, "I feel that in the last two-three years, I've not really seen any growth in this team. In the sense, like, I mean, beating the best side is what you always prepare for, but it seems like we are saturated in the sense we are beating other teams, and we are pretty happy in that. Every other team has shown growth despite limited depth, a case in point being South Africa. We have not."

Raj believed that India should experiment with the bench against the lower-ranked teams in the recent Asia Cup. Talking about it, she brought up the example of the Indian men’s team process. 

Raj continued, "It didn't seem like it was anywhere closer to... what we got to see in the World Cup. We could have given more opportunities to the bench against lower-ranked teams in Asia Cup, but we didn't. Why does the men's team do well? Immediately after a big series or a big tournament, they try others. If we are talking about depth, then when are we giving them chances?"

India’s openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma dominated South Africa’s bowlers on the first day of their Test match in Chennai. Mandhana scored a strong 149, while Verma hit an impressive double century with eight sixes, leading India to a massive 525/4 – the highest score ever on the opening day of a Test match at Chepauk.

The day started slowly for the Indian openers, but once Verma hit a boundary, they never looked back. Their partnership reached 292 runs, with both players scoring big centuries. Verma’s aggressive shots, including her record-breaking sixes, left South Africa struggling.

After a brief pause for lunch, Mandhana and Verma continued their attack, frustrating the South African bowlers. They kept hitting boundaries and reached their centuries on consecutive balls. Mandhana, who had already scored two centuries and a 90 in the ODIs, was aiming for a double century but got out at 149.

Verma’s record-breaking double century

Despite this, Verma kept up the pressure hitting back-to-back sixes and then a single to reach her double century. Her powerful batting along with Jemimah Rodrigues quick runs, added to South Africa’s troubles. Verma was eventually run out, and Rodrigues got out after passing fifty.

As the day ended, India kept scoring, with Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh taking advantage of the tired bowlers. India finished with 525 runs, setting a new record for the highest opening day score in Women’s Test history.

SEE ALSO: India-W vs South Africa-W: Shafali Verma hits fastest double century in women’s test cricket history

Delhi Capitals have been formidable in the WPL 2024, showcasing their dominance with an impressive four-game winning streak. Currently occupying the top position in the league, they boast a healthy run rate. Their success is highlighted by victories against all other participating teams, underlining their well-rounded and competitive performance. The Capitals’ consistent winning run positions them as strong contenders in the tournament, and their ability to overcome diverse opponents adds to their reputation as a team to beat in the Women’s Premier League. 

In the recent Women’s Premier League (WPL) clash, Delhi Capitals emerged victorious against Mumbai Indians, securing a 29-run win at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The chief architect of Delhi’s triumph was Jemimah Rodrigues, who played an outstanding unbeaten inning of 69 off 33 balls, propelling Delhi to a formidable total of 192/4. Meg Lanning also made a significant contribution with a half-century, scoring 53 off 38 deliveries, setting the stage for Rodrigues’ explosive finish.

In the bowling department for Delhi, once again, Jess Jonassen spearheaded the attack with an impressive performance, claiming 3 wickets while conceding just 21 runs in her 4-over spell. Marizanne Kapp also contributed to the bowling effort by securing 2 wickets. This win not only earned Delhi Capitals eight valuable points but also fortified their net run rate, underscoring a clinical and impactful victory.

See Also: WPL 2024: Player Analysis: Analysing the Impact of Jemimah Rodrigues Match-Winning Knock

Unveiling Delhi Capitals Women’s Dominance

One of the key factors behind Delhi Capitals’ success in the current season of WPL has been the well-distributed contributions from their batting lineup. Shefali Verma consistently provides explosive starts, setting the tone for the team. Meg Lanning plays the crucial role of an anchor, stabilizing the innings. 

Delhi Capitals’ top-order batters have displayed outstanding form in the league, leading the charts with a total of 528 runs in 5 matches at an impressive average of 40.62 and a brisk strike rate of 135.38. Their dominance is further evident in the number of boundaries they have accumulated, hitting 58 fours and 20 sixes in the tournament.

The consistency and firepower demonstrated by Delhi’s top three batters have played a pivotal role in the team’s success, providing strong starts and setting a solid foundation for substantial totals. Their top-order performance stands out as a key factor in Delhi Capitals’ formidable run in the Women’s Premier League 2024.

In the recent match, Jemimah Rodrigues delivered a sensational knock, showcasing her match-winning capabilities. The finishing touches are added by players like Marizanne Kapp, Alice Capsey, and Jess Jonassen, ensuring a balanced and formidable batting performance. The team’s ability to rely on different players in various situations adds depth and resilience to their overall batting strategy.

Delhi Capitals kicked off their home leg with an impressive victory, avenging their previous loss to Mumbai and maintaining their position at the top of the table. Standout performances from skipper Meg Lanning and Jemimah Rodrigues powered Delhi’s batting display, while their bowlers stepped up to the challenge, ensuring an effective performance. Notably, Delhi becomes the first team to successfully defend a total against Mumbai in the history of the WPL, underscoring their dominance in the match.

Delhi’s victorious captain, Meg Lanning, acknowledges the team’s strong performance but highlights areas for improvement. While praising Jemimah Rodrigues for her exceptional contribution, Lanning emphasizes the need for the top-order batters to step up and contribute more runs. She expresses satisfaction with the bowlers’ efforts, noting their effectiveness in the match. Lanning concludes by expressing satisfaction with the team’s total and the early wickets that helped secure the victory.

See Also: WPL 2024: Player Analysis: How did Smriti Mandhana’s Innings Progress from Start to Finish?

Breaking Down Jemimah Rodrigues’ Unbeaten Innings

In the first innings, Delhi posted an imposing total, fueled by a stellar half-century from skipper Meg Lanning, setting the stage for a blazing innings from Jemimah Rodrigues, who remained unbeaten on 69 off just 33 balls. Despite the efforts of Saika Ishaque and Amelia Kerr, who managed to pick up wickets for Mumbai, missed opportunities in the field proved costly.

In her solitary innings, Jemimah Rodrigues delivered a scintillating batting display, amassing a commanding total of 69 runs off a mere 33 deliveries. What truly set her performance apart was her extraordinary strike rate of 209.1, indicative of her aggressive approach at the crease. Rodrigues exhibited exceptional shot-making prowess, dispatching the ball to the boundary ropes on eight occasions and clearing the fence thrice with authoritative sixes.

Furthermore, Rodrigues’ innings was characterized by a remarkable ability to rotate the strike effectively, as evidenced by her low dot ball percentage of just 15.2%. By consistently finding gaps in the field and capitalizing on scoring opportunities, she ensured a steady flow of runs for her team. Rodrigues’ innings not only propelled her team to a commanding total but also left a lasting impact on the match, establishing her as a formidable force with the bat.

Jemimah Rodrigues earns the well-deserved title of player of the match for her outstanding performance. In her remarks, Rodrigues expresses delight in the team’s victory, prioritizing team success over individual accolades. She notes the challenging nature of the wicket but credits her adaptability, particularly as the ball kept low, which suited her style of play.