World Cup snub was lowest phase of my life, contemplated quitting game: Jemimah

From touching the lowest ebb after the ODI World Cup snub in New Zealand last year to hitting the winning runs in victory over archrivals Pakistan in the T20 global event Jemimah Rodrigues has done brilliantly to turn the corner in less than 12 monthsRodrigues who hit a matchwinning 38ball unbeaten 53 in a sevenwicket win in Indias Womens T20 World Cup opener here on Sunday said at one point of time she even contemplated quitting the gameI think this time last year when I was at home and I was not in a good headspace because I was dropped from Indias 50 World Cup squad That was the toughest time for me but there was so many people who helped me throughout this time Rodrigues said at the postmatch press conferenceAlso Read JemimahRicha masterclass helps India beat Pakistan in Newlands thrillerHonestly many a time I had nothing to tell myself I had there were so many times I had given up you know I didnt have the strength to carry on and I know a lot of people say you need to back yourself you need to motivate yourself but when a person is going through they only know what theyre going through an emotional Rodrigues bared her heart during the interactionThe support system is very important she saidI was blessed that I had people who believed in me and helped me push through that time so I am just grateful to them It felt like that was that was one of the lowest phase of my life but it turned out to be the reason why I could come here todayRodrigues was grateful to her surroundings especially her personal coach Prasanth Shetty and her father to help her get out of that difficult phaseShe went back to her basics and played against U14 and U19 boys at dusty Azad Maidan rankturners a decision which worked wondersYeah so I had like I said I taken a break then I went back to my coach Prashant Shetty and my dad Ivan also so both of them together We worked out a plan like in a week I had to play two games like more match time and the rest I would practice Sunday was my offdayIt is very challenging in the morning theres so much dew So in that condition I had to play under19 boys So putting myself in such situations actually helped me getting out of my comfort zone she saidAlso Read Auction for inaugural gamechanging WPL to take place in Mumbai todayPlaying against U14 boys Rodrigues was determined not to lose her wicketI played with under14 boys And the pressure of me being an India player playing with under14 boys if I lose my wicket its embarrassing I believe all these little things just build up and make you the player you areRodrigues still regrets missing last years 50over World Cup in New Zealand and the time it took for her to come to terms with the snubI mean we worked really hard during that time and I remember that I was not okay mentally I had taken a break because cricket is something I love playing for is something I love to do love to play and the World Cup is a dream for every cricketer and missing out on that it took me a whileTalking about her poor run of form before the matchwinning knock against Pakistan she said I think as a batter when youre not getting scores thats like you know its not an enjoyable time definitely but I was working really hard in the nets I knew I was putting in the effortsWhat is in my control is my efforts my hard work and I made sure that every time I was on the field I was doing that I was doing it repeatedly but I was not seeing results it was very tough But I had to keep pushing myselfRodrigues said it special to score runs in front of her parents who witnessed the IndoPak clash from the standsYeah this this feels sweet you know like when it mattered the most it came and like Im grateful to Jesus and my parents were here today so its even more special Theyve never experienced an India Pakistan game The first time in the stadium theyre experiencing and it was very special for meRodrigues and Richa Ghosh 31 not out off 20 shared an unbeaten 58run stand for the fourth wicket to take India home while chasing Pakistans 149 for 4Shes Richa matured a lot in recent times Definitely you know I love batting with Richa and even the last warm up game actually gave us both a lot of confidence We knew any target is chaseable as long as we are there she praised the teenagerI was confident throughout even when I think I remember it was 24 balls 41 I knew any target is achievable if we just keep doing the simple things correctly I took it over by overRodrigues said she cant wait to play in the inaugural Womens Premier League the auction of which is scheduled on Monday in MumbaiHonestly I just want to play the WPL I am not bothered which team is going to pick me and I just want to be a part of it because its a dream come true for everyone in India and we waited very long for this and its finally happening