Follow UsOver the last two years, fielding has been India women’s biggest weakness.
But if there’s one fielder whose credentials are never under question, it is Jemimah Rodrigues. The 24-year-old yet again proved why in the ongoing first ODI between England women and India women in Southampton.
After being moved into the short mid-wicket position, it didn’t take much time for the Mumbaikar to prove her worth, pulling off a worldie, inches away from the ground to send Nat Sciver-Brunt back for 41 off 52 balls.
While it would usually require a lot of effort from a fielder, Jemimah seemed so effortless as she scooped the ball inches away from the ground. Smriti Mandhana missed a similar opportunity in the same position just a few deliveries before, giving England’s best batter, Sciver-Brunt, another opportunity.
But Jemimah’s low dive not only put an end to Sciver-Brunt’s innings but also sucked away any sort of momentum that England had at that point. While most of the credit should go to the 24-year-old, it couldn’t have been possible without Sneh Rana’s skilful bowling, as the off-spinner picked up two wickets in her five-over spell.