3 Reasons Why Jemimah Rodrigues Is India's Best Batter In ODIs

Anurag Dasgupta∙ Updated: Dec 27 2024, 7:07 PM

Reasons revealed why Jemimah is better than Smriti [Source: @BCCIWOMEN/X.Com[ Reasons revealed why Jemimah is better than Smriti [Source: @BCCIWOMEN/X.Com[

Jemimah Rodrigues, the Indian superstar had a slow start to her international career, but slowly and steadily she is climbing the ladders and has become one of the most reliable Indian batters in white-ball cricket.

The year 2024 has been fruitful for her as she has delivered countless memorable performances for her team, particularly in the ODIs. She can bat anywhere in the top-6 and that is her biggest plus and moreover, the team can now rely on her to deliver the goods on a consistent basis. So, here are the 3 reasons as to why she is now the best Indian batters in ODIs.

3) The second highest strike-rate amongst her teammates

Jemimah Rodrigues has an ODI strike-rate of 91 in 2024 and in the modern era, striking at a decent rate is of utmost priority. The Indian team might have better technical players than her, but none can create the impact which Jemimah can.

Only Smriti Mandhana has a higher strike-rate than her, but it to be remember that Smriti enjoys the power-play, where only two fielders are allowed outside the circle. By the time Rodrigues comes out to bat, the field is generally spread out and yet she strikes at a higher rate.

2) Unlike others can bat at multiple positions

She can bat at number 6, she can bat at number 3 after the fall of an early wicket, she can also bat at number 4 as a consolidator, Rodrigues can perform multiple roles at the same time and can bat anywhere.

She can be termed as the KL Rahul of this team, who can be selfless and for the betterment of the team can do multiple roles. This is a quality which no one in the Indian team possesses.

While others can only bat at a fixed position, Rodrigues can be flexible and in 2024, she has excelled in every role.

1) Has delivered with the bat in 2024

Rodrigues has 329 runs in 13 ODI matches this year, and she is only behind Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur in terms of ODI runs scored by an Indian this year.

But it is to be noted that Mandhana gets to face the new ball and has a higher chance of finishing at the top. Similarly, Harmanpreet generally bats at number 3, 4 , and has scored 396 runs, only 67 runs more than Rodrigues.

In the ODIs Vs the West Indies, Rodrigues showed her class in the entire series and contributed in all three matches as India clean swept the Windies team.