Jemimah Rodrigues’ journey from trough to peak has been nothing sort of inspirational in the last 12 months.

After being left out of the Indian squad for the ODI World Cup in New Zealand last year, Jemimah contemplated quitting the game. However, she kept patience amid the tough times and is now reaping the reward of her hard work.

On Sunday (February 12), the 22-year-old starred in India’s seven-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup match at Cape Town.

Chasing 150 to win, the Women in Blue rode on Jemimah’s 53 not out off 38 balls to overhaul the target with one over to spare.

"I think this time last year when I was at home and I was not in a good headspace because I was dropped from (India's) 50 World Cup squad. That was the toughest time for me, but there were so many people who helped me throughout this time," Jemimah Rodrigues said at the post-match press conference.

"Honestly, many a time I had nothing to tell myself. I had, there were so many times I had given up, you know I didn't have the strength to carry (on) and I know a lot of people say you need to back yourself you need to motivate yourself but when a person is going through, they only know what they're going through," she added.

"I was blessed that I had people who believed in me and helped me push through that time so I am just grateful to them. It felt like that was that was one of the lowest phase of my life but it turned out to be the reason why I could come here today," she continued.

Rodrigues was grateful to her surroundings, especially her personal coach Prasanth Shetty and her father, for helping her get out of that difficult phase.

"Yeah, so I had, like I said I taken a break, then I went back to my coach Prashant Shetty and my dad (Ivan) also, so both of them together. We worked out a plan, like, in a week I had to play two games, like more match time, and the rest I would practice. Sunday was my off-day.

"It is very challenging, in the morning there's so much dew. So, in that condition I had to play under-19 boys. So, putting myself in such situations actually helped me, getting out of my comfort zone," she said.

Rodrigues still rues missing last year's 50-over World Cup as she said: "I mean, we worked really hard during that time, and I remember that, I was not okay mentally. I had taken a break, because cricket is something I love playing for is something I love to do, love to play and the World Cup is a dream for every cricketer and missing out on that, it took me a while."

Reflecting on her poor run of form before the match-winning fifty against Pakistan, she said: "I think as a batter when you're not getting scores that's like, you know, it's not an enjoyable time definitely, but I was working really hard in the nets I knew I was putting in the efforts.

"What is in my control is my efforts my hard work, and I made sure that every time I was on the field I was doing that I was doing it repeatedly but I was not seeing results, it was very tough. (But) I had to keep pushing myself."

Rodrigues said it was special to score runs in front of her parents, who witnessed the marquee India-Pakistan match from the stands.

"Yeah, this feels sweet you know, like when it mattered the most it came and like I'm grateful to Jesus and my parents were here today so it's even more special. They've never experienced an India Pakistan game. The first time in the stadium they're experiencing and it was very special for me."

(With PTI Inputs)