Women's T20 World Cup 2023

Jemimah Rodrigues reveals inspiration behind her knock against Pakistan in Women’s 20-20 World Cup

India women’s batter Jemimah Rodrigues has revealed that she was inspired by Virat Kohli after her winning knock in the Women’s 20-20 World Cup 2023 match against Pakistan. Rodrigues, who struck with a half-century in the match, mentioned about Kohli’s heroics in the match against Pakistan in the Men’s 20-20 World Cup in 2022 at the Melbourne cricket Ground (MCG).

Chasing 150, Rodrigues slammed an unbeaten 53* off 38 which helped her side to thrash arch-rivals Pakistan by 7 wickets. Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh (31* off 20) added an unbroken 58-run partnership against the Women in Green.

Rodrigues, who eventually named as the Player of the Match, heaped praise on Virat Kohli for his stunning knock in the Men’s 20-20 World Cup in Australia, last year. Kohli scored an unbeaten 82* off 53 balls as India beat Pakistan by four wickets in a thrilling encounter at MCG.

In an interview posted on the website of Cricket Governing Body Rodrigues said, “India vs Pakistan matches are always a little bit more special – we spoke about it in the team meeting. Growing up we always watched these matches. I remember watching the match at the MCG where Virat Kohli played such an extraordinary knock.”

“We did speak about it but we also just wanted to go out there and put our first win on the board. We just wanted to go out, play the same cricket and with the same intensity as usual. I knew we had to build partnerships, and I knew if we took it deep we will win,” she added.

India beat Pakistan by 7 wickets in Women’s 20-20 World Cup

India Women beat Pakistan Women by seven wickets (with 6 balls remaining) in their opening match of the Women’s 20-20 World Cup at the Newlands, Cape Town on Sunday, February 12. Pakistan skipper Bismah Maroof won the toss and opted to bat first. Indian bowlers started their domination from the start as Pakistan could only manage to score 149 in 20 overs.

India Women will next face West Indies Women in the Women’s 20-20 World Cup at Cape Town on Wednesday, February 15.