India head coach Amol Muzumdar has thrown his full support behind batter Jemimah Rodrigues despite her disappointing performances in the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup, insisting that the Mumbai cricketer remains one of the team’s biggest match-winners.
Rodrigues has managed only 32 runs in three innings so far in the tournament, failing to cross the 20-run mark in any of her outings. Her latest struggle came against South Africa in Manchester, where she scored a slow 12 off 14 deliveries as India slipped to a six-wicket defeat, putting their semi-final hopes under pressure.
Amol Muzumdar Backs Jemimah Rodrigues Despite Lean Patch
Despite the poor numbers, Muzumdar is refusing to judge the 25-year-old solely on statistics. Instead, he believes Rodrigues has repeatedly shown her ability to deliver in crucial moments and can once again silence her critics when India need her the most.
The India coach recalled Rodrigues’ remarkable turnaround during last year’s Women’s ODI World Cup. After enduring a difficult run and even losing her place in the playing XI at one stage, she made a stunning comeback by producing an unbeaten 127-run knock against Australia in the semi-final at Navi Mumbai.
That innings helped India chase down a record target of 339 and secure a memorable victory over the Australians. Muzumdar believes Rodrigues possesses the temperament to repeat such heroics in pressure situations.
“You have thrown the stats just now on me, but nothing of concern as far as I’m concerned,” Muzumdar said while defending the batter.
“Jemy is a clutch player for us. We know for a fact that if she comes good, she’ll win us a game. The scores haven’t reflected the talent that she has, but I’m sure, in the coming days, she’ll come along,” he added.
However, the faith shown by the team management could face increasing scrutiny if Rodrigues fails to regain form quickly. The batter has registered only one fifty-plus score in her last nine international innings, while players such as Yastika Bhatia and Bharti Fulmali remain available as possible replacements.
Muzumdar also defended India’s fielding unit following a poor display against South Africa. Spinner Radha Yadav dropped two important catches, allowing Marizanne Kapp to capitalize and guide her side towards victory.
The coach admitted that the missed opportunities were frustrating but insisted that Radha remains among the best fielders in the world.
“My hand stays like this on my face, and it stays like that only. It happens inside,” Muzumdar said while describing his reaction from the dugout.
“But Radha has been an exceptional, world-class fielder. She’s a strong character, and I’m sure somewhere in this tournament she’ll make up for it.”
India’s problems in the tournament have not been limited to fielding lapses. The side has repeatedly lost wickets in clusters during the middle overs, an issue that has surfaced in all three group-stage matches.
Despite these concerns, Muzumdar believes the team must continue playing an aggressive brand of cricket, even if it occasionally leads to collapses.
India now find themselves in a difficult position after the defeat to South Africa. Their remaining two league matches have effectively become must-win games if they hope to reach the semi-finals.
The Women in Blue will next face Bangladesh in Manchester on Thursday before taking on defending champions Australia at Lord’s on Sunday.
Muzumdar remains confident that India can still qualify for the knockout stage if they perform to their full potential.
“Of course, it was a big game. There’s no doubt about it. But we still have two more games to look forward to, and there is no doubt in my mind that if we play to our potential, we can be on the right side of those two games,” he said.
