In the second semi-final of the Women's ODI World Cup 2025, the Indian women's cricket team played an innings that touched not only the match but the hearts of every Indian. The heroine of this innings was Jemimah Rodrigues. This 25-year-old Mumbai batsman didn't just score runs on Thursday, but also completed a journey. Once known as "Baby" in the team, Jemimah now forms the backbone of the Indian women's team's middle order.
The Beginning: A Face Full of Hope
Born in Mumbai on September 5, 2000, Jemimah entered international cricket for India in February 2018 at just 17 years old. High expectations were placed on her in the early days, but the journey wasn't easy. She was dropped from the team and faced criticism. But Jemimah never gave up. She herself says that she was the youngest in the team, and everyone affectionately called her "Baby." But now Jemimah is no longer Baby. Her smile was as innocent as her thoughts. That's why, when she got opportunities, she proved herself every time.
She was dropped mid-season. Then, she shone with her bat at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. However, she was dropped from the team after the 2023 Women's T20 World Cup. Jemimah returned once again in 2024 and is now a key part of the team. Jemimah credits her cricket development to the now-defunct Kia Super League (KSL) in England. This was her first appearance in an overseas T20 league. Her figures in that tournament were exceptional. Jemimah scored 401 runs at an average of 57.28 and a strike rate of 149.62, including an unbeaten 112 off 58 balls.
World Cup Semi-Final Night: Confidence Mixed with Tears
India was in a difficult situation in the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup semi-final. Runs were coming slowly, and every face was filled with tension. But when Jemimah stepped out to the crease, everything changed. With composure and class, she played a brilliant unbeaten 127, taking India to the final of the Women's ODI World Cup for the third time. This marks the third time the Indian team has reached the final, after 2005 and 2017, where they will face South Africa on November 2nd, giving women's cricket a new world champion.
What the cameras captured after the match wasn't just a player's celebration; it was the culmination of a story. Tears streamed down Jemimah's face, but they weren't tears of defeat or exhaustion. They symbolized years of hard work, struggle, and faith. That moment wasn't just for her, but for every girl who has ever dreamed big and faced setbacks along the way.
The courage gained from living alone abroad.
A major turning point in Jemimah's career came when she began playing in England's Kia Super League. This was her first experience in a foreign T20 league. She was just 18 years old and living abroad alone for the first time. She had to handle her own laundry, cooking, and travel expenses. Jemima explains, "I was just 18 when I traveled abroad alone. I had to manage everything from laundry to cooking, living in an apartment, and traveling to games. That experience changed me a lot, because I wasn't used to living alone anywhere. Even in the Indian team, I was like the 'baby' of the team. I was loved and cared for a lot in the beginning, and I knew everyone. Although I felt very lonely at times, it changed me a lot as a person and made me more independent."
Learning to stay calm from Meg Lanning
While playing for the Delhi Capitals in the Women's Premier League, Jemima got the opportunity to play with Australia's legendary captain, Meg Lanning. Jemima explains, "I learned from Meg how to stay calm under pressure." When the captain maintains her composure, the entire team gains confidence.' This simplicity and composure have now become a part of her game. Whether wickets are falling or runs are not being scored, Jemimah's eyes never show panic, only confidence.
Jemimah says, "The way Lanning leads the team and remains so calm under pressure is something I really learned from her. She simply knows what she's doing, and that helps her remain calm under pressure, which I think is one of the greatest qualities of a captain. Everyone is under pressure at the end of a match, but if you see your captain calm, there's something about it that helps the entire team remain calm and composed."
Playing in different conditions boosts Jemimah's confidence.
Jemimah believes that playing in different conditions, adapting to them, and performing well boosts her confidence. It helps her adapt to different pitches. Jemimah was dropped from the Indian team after the 2023 Women's T20 World Cup, and she described it as a difficult and challenging moment. She said, "I wasn't in my best form then. But when I was selected for the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup, I looked up and thanked God. Last year, at this very time, I was dropped from the team, but this time I'm here. It changed my perspective. I'm grateful to God for whatever situation I'm in, and my journey wasn't easy."
Family: The Strongest Pillar of Support
Every player has a story behind them, and Jemimah's story begins with her family. Her mother, Lavita, and father, Ivan Rodrigues, have always been there for her. Jemima says, "When I was in poor form, people had given up hope on me. But not my parents. They always said, 'You have something special in you.'" In 2023, Jemima's parents watched the live broadcast of the India-Pakistan match at the stadium. In that match, Jemima scored 53 runs in 38 balls, hitting eight fours. She says, "Raising my bat towards them after scoring a half-century is one of the most special moments for me, because they supported me more than anyone else in this journey. They believed in me no matter what. Even when no one believed in me, they were always there." With the help of her mother, Lavita and father Ivan, as well as coach Prashant Shetty, Jemima has managed to overcome every difficult situation.
Playing style similar to Mithali and Virat
Jemima's playing style is somewhat similar to that of the great batswoman Mithali Raj. Attacking the ball isn't her natural game. She uses her crease to disrupt bowlers' rhythm and relies heavily on shot timing. She also plays pull and slog-sweep shots against spinners. Jemimah says, "My father always tells me you don't need to be powerful to score runs. You just need to be intelligent and find your own way. That's one of the best pieces of advice I've ever received, and I try to stick to that." This is why Jemimah's idol is Virat Kohli, who, like her, places a strong emphasis on timing.
Jemimah's International Career So Far
Jemimah has played three Tests, 58 ODIs, and 112 T20 Internationals for India. In Tests, she has 235 runs at an average of 58.75, including three half-centuries. At the same time, in 58 ODIs, she has 1725 runs in her name at an average of 35.20. This includes three centuries and eight half-centuries. Her best innings is the unbeaten innings of 127 runs in the semi-final of the current Women's World Cup against Australia. In T20, Jemima has scored 2375 runs at an average of 30.06 and a strike rate of 116.47. This includes 13 half-centuries. Her best innings has been an innings of 76 runs. Apart from this, Jemima has also taken five wickets in ODIs and one wicket in T20 Internationals.
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