Jemimah Rodrigues credited Virat Kohli’s batting style for influencing her approach to the game.
Delhi Capitals’ batter Jemimah Rodrigues revealed her admiration for Virat Kohli’s batting approach, stating his influence on her own game during a post-match conference at the WPL 2024.
While acknowledging the need for versatility in the WPL, Rodrigues emphasized her reliance on timing and bat swing, similar to the former Indian captain. “I knew coming into the WPL you need all sorts of shots, and I can’t stick to (certain shots) and say, ‘I’m this kind of player,'” she explained.
“For me, I need to put a little more effort than the others to hit those sixes. But I rely a lot on my timing and my bat swing. I think today it came off really well, and for me, even if you see my sixes, I don’t try to hit sixes, I try to hit the ball in the gap. If it’s hit too well, it goes for a six,” the batter told the press.
Jemimah Rodrigues, who scored 69 runs off 33 deliveries against Mumbai Indians in the match, further elaborated on her admiration for Kohli. “That’s something I’ve learned from Virat Kohli; he does that really well,” she said. “I really look up to him because we have similar (batting) positions in the Indian team. The way he goes about his game, he runs well between the wickets, and he has intent while batting. Even if he hits sixes, he hits it in the gaps. So if he hits it well, it’s either two runs, four or a six. That’s what I try and implement in my game too,” she was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
This approach was evident in Rodrigues’ knock against Mumbai. Despite facing a slow delivery from Shabnim Ismail, she opted for a controlled slog-sweep for a boundary instead of a risky big shot. This level-headedness, coupled with her focus on clean hitting, showcases the influence of Virat Kohli on Jemimah Rodrigues’ evolving batting style.
The Delhi Capitals, meanwhile, secured a convincing 29-run victory at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, solidifying their position at the top of the WPL table. Their next challenge comes on March 8th against UP Warriorz, where a win will significantly strengthen their chances of securing a spot in the playoff.
Last Updated on March 6, 2024
