Former head coach of the women’s team, Tushar Arothe, who guided Mithali & Co to the 2017 World Cup final in England, reckoned Rodrigues has paid the price for her inconsistent performances
Jemimah Rodrigues
Two prominent Mumbai players—Jemimah Rodrigues and Punam Raut—have been left out of the 15-member Indian women’s team that will participate in the ODI World Cup in New Zealand (March 6 to April 3).
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The Neetu David-led selection panel on Thursday named veteran batter Mithali Raj as captain and Harmanpret Kaur as her deputy.
Former head coach of the women’s team, Tushar Arothe, who guided Mithali & Co to the 2017 World Cup final in England, reckoned Rodrigues has paid the price for her inconsistent performances.
“I’m a bit disappointed that Jemimah won’t be there at the World Cup because she’s a good player, tremendous fielder. But she hasn’t performed well for India in her last five matches. She did well at the women’s Big Bash League [for Melbourne Renegades], but she needed to make the most of the opportunities while playing for the country. Consistency matters at the international level. That’s why Mithali is so great because she consistent across the years,”Arothe told mid-day from Baroda on Thursday.
Rodrigues, 21, who has scored 394 runs in 21 ODIs and 1,055 runs in 50 T20Is, scored just 12 runs in two ODIs during the England tour and 79 runs in three T20Is in Australia last year.
Raut, 32, however, has fared far better. She was India’s top-run getter and made an impressive 86 against England in the 2017 World Cup final at Lord’s. She has 2,299 ODI runs under her belt from 73 matches, including three centuries and 15 half-centuries. She is extremely disappointed at being left out. “Having been counted among the experienced batters and a consistent run-scorer for India, I’m extremely disappointed at not being picked for the World Cup. In 2021, I averaged 73.75, scoring 295 runs, including one century and two half-centuries in the six ODIs that I played. So, it’s very disheartening to be left out despite performing. But having said that, I’d like to extend my best wishes to all the players who will be representing India,” she said.
Meanwhile, Arothe is surprised to see struggling batter Kaur named as vice-captain. Kaur, 32, scored just 36 in three ODIs during the England tour and made 53 in three T20Is against Australia last year. “How they [selectors] appointed Harman as the team’s vice-captain is a big question. She’s an excellent player, but performances matter and she hasn’t contributed as consistently as opener Smriti Mandhana,” said Arothe.
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