Rodrigues' first WPL 50 was also perhaps her most influential T20 knock. ©BCCI
It's been a Jemimah Rodrigues ritual this WPL in all of Delhi Capitals' batting innings so far. She's often the first to run in as soon as the strategic time-out is signalled - pads on, helmet firmly strapped on - and is the most animated member of the conversation in the middle. She laughs off the part about gathering early intel during this exercise; but does admit it's not her to walk in to bat straight after being seated in the dugout for six to nine overs at a stretch. "Soaking in the atmosphere" just helps get her switched on much before she actually takes guard.
During her batting partnerships, be it with the experienced Meg Lanning or Marizanne Kapp, or the teenaged Alice Capsey, it's difficult to tell who is coaching whom. A bear hug from Rodrigues is awaiting every half-centurion as soon as the milestone is reached. She celebrates her bowlers' successes like her own. After pulling off a boundary-line blinder of a catch in DC's homecoming at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Tuesday, Rodrigues, running in all the way from long-on, is the first one to give a congratulatory head-pat to Titas Sadhu, who had just picked up her maiden WPL wicket.
Whether in Mumbai last year, at the Chinnaswamy Stadium the last couple of weeks or in Delhi tonight, boundary-rider Rodrigues is also the crowd conductor. In turn, she admittedly feeds off that energy herself all the time. They'll ask for photos, she'll pose between deliveries. They ask for a dance move, she'll happily do the floss. She'll then egg them on from time to time, and the crowd invariably obliges.
This side of Rodrigues isn't exactly new but has also constantly come under scrutiny. When the performances are not as high voltage, the questions start to pile up. Questions on form and strike-rates most notably.
Under that unsaid pressure, it's natural to get caught in the trap of trying to be someone you're not. Of trying to muscle every ball into stands and failing spectacularly. Two low scores to end the Bengaluru leg of WPL 2024 had already given way to the 'lean patch' narrative, overshadowing the blistering start she made in the competition.
The intent in her batting has been there to see all along. Whether it was on the tournament's
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