India women's cricket team star player Jemimah Rodrigues encouraged the men's cricket team to set their sights on winning the gold medal in the Asian Games 2023. India's women's cricket team attained a historic victory in the 2023 Asian Games final. Harmanpreet Kaur-led side secured maiden Asian Games gold medal by defeating Sri Lanka by 19 runs in their inaugural appearance at the event. In a challenging batting environment that favored the bowlers, India batted first and managed to post a total of 116 runs for the loss of seven wickets. The bowling unit, led by Titas Sadhu, then restricted Sri Lanka to 97/8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
“We have spoken to the men's team. We have told them that we are bringing the gold; you guys also bring it,” an elated Rodrigues told reporters, PTI reported.
"(It) feels great. Just to win the gold is special, and being the first Indian cricket side to win the gold will make people go back in history and see that this was the team that actually won the first-ever gold in cricket in the Asian Games. It's an amazing feeling," she added.
Rodrigues said it was a proud feeling to add to India's medals tally at the Games.
"It is a very different experience, wearing this India jersey is a (matter of) different pride. Also, we can add a medal to India as a sporting nation,” she said.
Talking about the gold medal contest on a challenging surface, Rodrigues said the contest had its own challenges.
"It wasn't easy as Sri Lanka gave us a good fight. Their bowlers bowled spot-on, and we really had to apply ourselves. Very proud of the girls, and the way we played today displays our character,” she said.
"It was an important partnership between me and Smriti (Mandhana) because the Sri Lankan bowlers were at the top of their game.
“We are glad the way we played and built the partnership, along with the other girls coming in and chipping in,” said Rodrigues (42), who added 73 runs with Mandhana (46) for the second wicket in a low-scoring contest.
(With PTI Inputs)