Jemimah Rodrigues' Message For Men's Cricket Team After Winning Asian Games 2023 Gold

India's Jemimah Rodrigues on Monday urged the men's team to aim for the gold after the women's team created history in the final of the Asian Games 2023. India Women's side beat Sri Lanka by 19 runs in the final to clinch the gold medal here on their maiden appearance. Batting first, India posted 116 for seven on a difficult batting track before the Titas Sadhu-led bowling attack restricted Sri Lanka to 97 for eight in 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.

"(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