Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Jan 13: It is a proud moment for all Mangalureans. Jemima Rodrigues, 17-year-old batswoman, has secured a place in the Indian women's cricket team for the upcoming one-day series against South Africa.
Though Jemima was born and brought up in Mumbai, her parents are from Mangaluru. After getting the news of selection to the Indian team, an elated Jemima said, "I started playing cricket with the aim of playing for our country. When I heard the news on Wednesday, January 10, about my selection, I was stunned for a moment. When I conveyed the information to my parents, tears of happiness rolled down their eyes."
Jemima is a resident of Bandra in Mumbai and is a student of 12th grade at Rizvi College. Her father Ivan Rodrigues and mother Lavita conduct coaching classes for students at Bandra. Her father, who was also a club cricketer, is her childhood coach.
The first batswoman to score 1000 runs in under-19
Jemima was selected to the Indian team after her stellar performance in the domestic under-19 tournament. She amassed 1013 runs from 11 matches in the year 2017-18. She is the first player to score more than 1000 runs in this age group. In addition, playing for Mumbai, she has scored a double century against Saurashtra in the national level under-19 one-day tournament.
Jemima is the second one to score a double hundred in 50-over cricket after Smriti Mandhana, who is a regular player in the Indian women's cricket team.
Jemima has scored 179 runs in three matches (84,52,43) in the recently concluded 'BCCI women's Challenger one-day cricket tournament' that was held at Indore.
A good player of Hockey too
Jemima Rodrigues is a good player of hockey also. She has represented the Mumbai hockey team in both under-17 as well as under-19 category.
"I used to play both cricket and hockey from my childhood. After I started doing well in cricket, I thought of a future in cricket as I had to choose any one game for my future. I do play hockey even now whenever I get chance," said Jemima.
Dream of scoring double ton for India
Jemima, who has already created history by scoring a double century in the under-19 category, has the dream of repeating the same if she gets an opportunity to play in the eleven for India. Elaborating on her wish she said, "I know that consistent performance is required in order to get selected for the national team. My dad also used to say the same. I have the urge of scoring a double ton for India. I aim to play for a long time for the Indian cricket team like the present captain Mithali Raj,"
Australian woman cricketer, Ellyse Perry, role model
All-rounder in the women's cricket team of Australia, Ellyse Perry is Jemima's role model. Jemima has the aim of representing India in women's hockey also. "Why I should not represent India in hockey if I get an opportunity? Even now I love and play hockey whenever time permits. Ellyse Perry has represented Australia in both football and cricket. Why should I miss an opportunity to represent India in both the sports, if I get a chance?" she questions.