Star Indian Cricketer Gets Candid About How Virat Kohli Helped with The “Mental Aspect” of Her Game

Jemimah Rodrigues relives MCG memories with Virat Kohli as she dives into mental side of the game.

Star Indian Cricketer Gets Candid About How Virat Kohli Helped with The “Mental Aspect” of Her Game

Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma and Jemimah Rodrigues (Image via India Today)

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Indian cricket has created its own torchbearers over the years. Superstar batter Virat Kohli is certainly the most prominent name in the last 15 years. Famously, many young Indian players like Rajat Patidar, Ishan Kishan and the others have come out in praise of Kohli as a guiding light in their careers.

Kohli has also had an important effect in the life of his contemporaries around the world as well. Fellow rivals like Babar Azam, Kane Williamson and Steven Smith have also credited the batter for being a gentleman on and off the field. Recently, the Indian women’s team icon, Jemimah Rodrigues came out in an interview praising how Virat Kohli helped her by guiding her in her young career to make her a solid player.

I had conversations with Virat bhaiya. I asked him about batting, mindset and mental aspects of the game. He was so kind, and was always ready to help others. We have had half an hour conversations. It was a very big deal for me, to talk to him and learn from him. I asked him about the MCG match in the 2022 T20 World Cup and how one can handle the expectations and pressure. The way he talked and gave all the advice showed his humility. Talking to him helped me with the mental aspect of my game.

Jemimah Rodrigues said via ESPNcricinfo

Kohli is often hailed as one of the most solid players mentally. He is regarded as one of those rare players in this era of expectations, to not crack under any sort of pressure. Rodrigues in her chat with India’s finest batter of the previous generation, got an insight into what a player like Kohli does to keep himself mentally so strong.

She also got to know about the famous match against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground back in 2022 at the T20 World Cup. Kohli had played one of the best innings of his life in the format. The batter had come to the crease in the second over chasing the 160 set by Pakistan. He saw three more wickets fall in front of him before India were reeling at 49-4.

The pair of Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya then took India deep in the match with Kohli showcasing a high-quality batting display to seal the match on the last ball. It was one of the great displays of mental strength. Rodrigues, herself a key middle order batter for the Indian women’s team, can apply a lot of mental strength lessons in her game as she often has to stabilize the innings.

Jemimah Rodrigues doesn’t have the best outings as Australia dominates India

With the women’s World Cup upon the cricketing world, the Indian women decided to warm themselves up for the mega challenge against the serial World Cup winners. India organized a tour with Australia, who traveled to the subcontinent for a three match ODI series.

It is an important tour for the Australian side as well, with the upcoming World Cup being held in India. The first ODI was held at the newly constructed Mullanpur stadium. India batted first and were not up to the mark with their run scoring. Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana and Harleen Deol did get starts but could not convert them into something substantial.

Jemimah Rodrigues playing ODI cricket for India.
Jemimah Rodrigues (via India Today)

The batters that followed them just couldn’t get a move on with Jemimah Rodrigues falling for a 26 ball 18. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur too could manage just 11. The Indian team was restricted to 281. It did look 20 runs below par but was a decent total all together.

However, the Indian bowling just didn’t step up as Australia hardly had any problems getting to the target. The Indian bowlers lacked control as they sprayed a lot of balls onto the pads. Those became easy pickings for batters like Phoebe Litchfield, who scored 88, and Beth Mooney, who scored 77.

Annabel Sutherland smashed a quick-fire 54 to seal the deal. Australia chased India’s set 282 in just 44 overs, losing only 2 wickets in the process. It was a dominant and statement win from the visitors as they aim for yet another World Cup, and this time in different conditions.

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