Ahead of captaining Delhi Capitals (DC) for the first time in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), Jemimah Rodrigues expressed her intention to blend meticulous preparation with on-field instinct. The upcoming season kicks off on January 9.
Previously serving as vice-captain to Australia’s multiple-time World Cup-winning captain Meg Lanning, Jemimah steps into the leadership role for DC now that Meg has taken over as skipper of UP Warriorz (UPW). A crucial player in India’s historic Women’s ODI World Cup triumph, Jemimah was DC’s first pick in the inaugural WPL auction and made headlines with her unbeaten 127, leading India to an impressive record chase of 339 against Australia in the semi-final at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
“I think as a captain, it is important for me, and this is also my personality as a cricketer, that I love to do my preparations, whether it’s watching videos, even as a batter. In batting, you can’t plan as much because it’s more of a reaction to what the bowler does. But I want to know what all the bowlers have in their arsenal, like, do they have slower balls, bouncers, yorkers, and I like to analyse all those things and just react once I go there,” Jemimah said during a pre-season press conference.
“I like to prepare, and I think it’s the same thing with captaincy. I think it’s essential to have those analyses for every game. But once I step on the field, I just let my instincts take over because sometimes you’ve got to trust your gut feeling and just go with what’s right. Decisions may go right or may not go right, but I think it’s important for me to know that what I did was with the right intention, based on my gut feeling, and I’ll learn from there.”
Jemimah clarified that her natural approach and vivacious personality will remain unchanged in her role as DC’s captain, although she will be more involved in decision-making during matches. “My personality won’t change as much. But whenever I step on the field, I get into my zone, whether I’m batting or involved in the field, maybe with a few adjustments in field placements. In the Indian team, my responsibility has been to position the right fielders at the right angles. I’ve been very involved with that. Having led Mumbai for many years, my captaincy will likely be more on the calmer side. But at the same time, I like to think a little more aggressively, which is part of my style.”
Reflecting on her time as Meg’s deputy, Jemimah recalled a defining lesson about staying calm under pressure. “From Meg, I learned that if the captain panics, the team will too. During a match in Delhi in the second season, where we won by one run against RCB, I asked her, ‘Meg, weren’t you nervous?’ She said, ‘To be honest, I was nervous,’ but it didn’t show on her face. That really taught me the importance of maintaining composure as a captain.”
From her Indian team skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur, and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah took crucial lessons on performing under pressure and fostering strong relationships with the bowlers. “Everyone has a different style of captaincy, and my biggest learning would be to find my own style. Harry di is an aggressive captain who wants to lead from the front, especially in crucial moments. From Smriti, I learned about staying calm and being tactical in decision-making.”
Jemimah believes her captaincy role at DC will enhance her performance and prepare her for future leadership positions within the Indian team setup. “I’ve always enjoyed leading, whether with my state team or in domestic competitions. I genuinely feel that taking on the added responsibility as a leader brings out the best in me. Leading a side in the WPL will be a great learning experience, not just for me as a captain, but as a player. It will require thinking outside the box and understanding the strategies involved.”
She concluded by emphasizing the WPL’s positive impact on Indian women’s cricket, referencing recent successes like the ODI World Cup and the emergence of players like N Sree Charani and Kranti Gaud. “The WPL has produced extraordinary cricketers. The success of Charani and Kranti shows the growth this league fosters. Each season seems to get better and better for both young talents and experienced players, enhancing the quality of cricket in India and worldwide.”