After making a glorious return to the India T20I side with a career-best 76 in a 41-run win over Sri Lanka in Women's Asia Cup, batter Jemimah Rodrigues attributed her knock to playing on slower pitches in Bangalore during preparation helping her in Sylhet.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On a hot Saturday afternoon at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Jemimah steered India to 150\/6 despite not getting many runs in the end, with her knock of 76 coming off 53 balls laced with 11 fours and a six at a strike rate of 143.40.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jemimah looked rock-solid in her drives and oozed class as well as in using the crease well throughout her stay apart from a cheeky switch-hit. She was also involved in a 92-run partnership for the third wicket with captain Harmanpreet Kaur (33) in a match-defining stand.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"The wicket was tricky, it kept on the lower side, initially it was not turning, but then it turned. I had plans and had prepared well to play on slow, turning tracks which helped to express myself today. But I had prepared well for this, even in Bangalore, I asked for slower and turning wickets. That preparation really helped me here," said Jemimah after the match ended.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jemimah also appreciated the bowlers in striking well to bowl out Sri Lanka for 109 in 18.2 overs. "We will take the win, the bowlers did well -- everyone and this is what we are as a team. This is the confidence we want to build on. The discussion coming in was that we've set the standard and want to get it higher now."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jemimah had missed the entire white-ball tour of England due to a hand injury sustained in The Hundred competition. But it never looked like she was out of action during her magnificent knock against Sri Lanka on Saturday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The knock of 76 against Sri Lanka takes Jemimah's average in T20Is this year to 58.80 at a strike rate of 121.99. The statistics increase to 59 in terms of average and strike rate of 139.37 when facing Sri Lanka in T20Is.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I was eager to play, after not touching the bat for six weeks. It was tough not doing the thing I love and seeing everyone else do it. But my parents, coaches and the staff helped me to recover, so thanks to them. Nothing like coming back and playing for India."<\/p>\r\n\r\n