Jemimah Rodrigues hit a career-best 76 in T20Is before the bowlers produced a clinical display to power India to a 41-run win against Sri Lanka in their women’s Asia Cup opener here on Saturday.
Rodrigues put up a boundary-hitting exhibition as she whacked 11 fours and a six in her counter-attacking 53-ball innings to help India post 150 for six on a wicket where batters struggled due to low bounce.
The Indian bowlers then struck at regular intervals to bowl Sri Lanka out for 109 in 18.2 overs.
“The wicket was tricky, it kept on the lower side, initially it was not turning, but then it turned. I had prepared well for this, even in Bangalore I asked for slower and turning wickets. That preparation really helped me here,” Rodrigues said.
She said she was eager to play after not touching the bat for six weeks owing to injury. “It was tough not doing the thing I love and seeing everyone else do it. But everyone helped me, my parents, coaches and my trainers, I wanted to thank them. Nothing like coming back and playing for India,” said Rodrigues, who was adjudged the Player of the Match.
“We will take the win and take the positives from this win. The bowlers did really well... everyone and this is what we are as a team. This is the confidence we are going to build on.”
Brief scores: India 150/6 in 20 (Jemimah Rodrigues 76, Harmanpreet Kaur 33). SL 109 in 18.2 (Dayalan Hemalatha 3/15). India won by 41 runs