The Indian middle-order batter Jemimah Rodrigues, who had spent the past month battling anxiety and self-doubt, produced a once-in-a-lifetime knock when it mattered most, leading India to a historic semi-final win over Australia in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.
A Comeback Written in Gold
Dropped just a week earlier, Rodrigues walked into the semi-final as if destiny had hit the refresh button. India were chasing a mountain, 339 runs against the seven-time champions. Yet, by the time the final ball was bowled, Rodrigues stood unbeaten on 127 off 134 deliveries, tears in her eyes and a smile of relief spreading across Navi Mumbai’s Dr DY Patil Stadium.
India’s five-wicket win not only sealed their place in the World Cup final but also made history as the highest successful run chase in Women’s World Cup knockouts and in Women’s ODIs overall.
“It Was Not About My 100, It Was About Making India Win”
Moments after Amanjot Kaur hit the winning runs, Jemimah dropped to her knees. At the presentation ceremony, her voice cracked, but her conviction didn’t.
“Today was not about my 50 or my 100; today was just about making India win,” she said, her eyes glistening.
She spoke about faith and struggle, about how “God scripted everything”, and how this moment felt like a divine reward for enduring a mentally challenging month.
A Sudden Promotion, A Calm Mind
Interestingly, Rodrigues didn’t even know she’d be batting at No. 3 until minutes before the game.
“I was taking a shower when the discussion was happening,” she laughed. “Just five minutes before entering, I learnt I’d be at No. 3.”
But there was no self-pity, no thought of proving a point. “It wasn’t about me. It was about staying till the end and taking India through,” she said. And that’s exactly what she did.
Battling Anxiety Behind the Smile
Beneath the celebrations, though, lies a story of inner struggle. Jemimah admitted she had been dealing with anxiety throughout the tour.
“I almost cried every day through this tour. I was not doing well mentally. Getting dropped was another challenge,” she revealed.
But with the help of her teammates and faith, she kept going. Her words made it clear, this wasn’t just a century; it was a statement of survival.
Faith, Friendship and Fighting Spirit
Rodrigues’ calm demeanour during the chase wasn’t accidental. Between overs, she kept talking to herself and quoting scripture to stay composed.
“I was drained. I just kept saying, ‘Stand still, and God will fight for you.’ And that’s what He did,” she shared.
From skipper Harmanpreet Kaur to teammates Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh, everyone around her played a role in keeping her spirit alive. “When I couldn’t carry on, my teammates encouraged me to carry on,” she said.
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