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Indian Asian Games 2023 gold medal-winning women’s cricket team member Jemimah Rodrigues felt like she was in a movie when she stood on the podium. The national anthem and the Indian flag being raised reminded her of the blockbuster hit movie ‘Chak de India’ which she watched as a child and then watched it over and over again as a teenager. The loss to Australia at Commonwealth Games 2022 hurt Rodrigues and she was desperate to win a final and win the gold medal for the country. The top-order batter explained the river of emotions she felt when she stood on the podium after beating Sri Lanka in the final.
“In the press conference, they asked me ‘how did you feel seeing the Indian flag being raised then singing the national anthem on the podium?’ I told them it all started way back when I watched Chak de India. I have seen it a million times. I know all the dialogues by heart. In that, Kabir Khan has the silver medal. He is trying to convert it into gold. It felt like that because in the Commonwealth we won the silver. Today, getting the gold is a different feeling,” Rodrigues told the reporters on September 25.
“In that movie, there is another scene that I love the most where he is just looking at the Indian flag. Someone asks him 'What are you looking at?' He replies I am just seeing in a foreign country a foreigner raising the Indian flag. When I stood on the podium I actually remembered that scene. It felt very filmy. In my mind, the Chake de India song was playing in the background as well,” she added while holding back tears.
Growing up Rodrigues played hockey and wanted to realise her ‘Chak de India’ dream but she ended up playing cricket. Now, she wants to win an Olympic medal for India.
“Growing up I used to play hockey. I always thought I would play the Commonwealth Games or the Olympics for India as a hockey player. But, god has his own ways. Here I am playing cricket in the Asian Games, in the CWG, and now in the Olympics. No better feeling than winning an Olympic gold medal,” the 23-year-old said.
The youngster dedicated all former women cricketers and people who faced hardships to help the sport grow.
“There was an interview of me and Harry di [Harmanpreet Kaur]. Nooshin [Al Khadir] di was in the commentary box. She felt very proud. We dedicated the medal to every women cricketer and all those people who fought for women's cricket in India. Now we are getting everything from fame, and money to opportunities to play in tournaments like this. It wasn't like this before. This gold medal is dedicated to all the ex-women cricketers,” she said.
After adding a gold medal to India’s tally, Rodrigues had a message for the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led men’s cricket team as well. “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 said.
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