Star India batter Jemimah Rodrigues talked about the pressure of playing Pakistan before the Women’s T20 World Cup, stating that regardless of a player’s experience, it is impossible to ignore the expectations around the match. India’s campaign will start on June 14 in Birmingham against Pakistan, one of the group stage’s major matches. Jemimah recalled her maiden India-Pakistan encounter while speaking with the broadcaster prior to the game. She also disclosed how even senior players in the dressing room recognized the significance of the event.
Jemimah On IND vs PAK Rivalry
“I remember when I played my first India-Pakistan game. In the dressing room, Harman di actually spoke to us, saying, ‘Let’s not deny it. There is pressure from the outside because we know the history of India versus Pakistan. We know what the fans expect’,” Jemimah said.
She went on to say that everyone is affected by the rivalry, which extends beyond cricket.
“Even my building watchman says, ‘Lose to anyone, but not against Pakistan.’ That is the kind of pressure because people love cricket. They love this rivalry,” she added.
Jemimah On India’s Preparation
India has long dominated Pakistan in women’s cricket, despite the long-standing rivalry. Jemimah also discussed the team’s preparation, stating that India has been practicing in challenging environments to better manage pressure during games.
“We prepare differently for every game. We’ve been putting ourselves in uncomfortable situations, whether in training or on the field. We have a lot of sessions where we play out different scenarios. Everyone says you have to thrive under pressure, but how do you do that? You do it by repeatedly putting yourself under pressure in practice and making those situations as challenging as possible, so that when you go into a match, you feel prepared.
“The preparation has been excellent. We’ve had great camps, and this team is looking really confident. We didn’t have a great series against South Africa, but sometimes a defeat teaches you a lot more than winning. We’ve made notes of those lessons, worked on them, and now we can’t wait to get out there and play some good cricket,” she added.
India, under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, will aim to do well in the competition and get to the final round of an ICC event. The crucial match against Pakistan in Birmingham on June 14 marks the beginning of their campaign.
