NAVI MUMBAI: In a display of raw emotion, Indian cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues shed tears multiple times during a post-match press conference. This came moments after her career-defining, unbeaten 127 runs off 134 balls secured India’s five-wicket victory against Australia in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup semifinals at the DY Patil Stadium.
The 25-year-old Bandra native bravely shared the profound mental battle she’d endured over the past month, revealing a period of severe anxiety that preceded her first-ever World Cup century. She stressed the importance for anyone struggling with anxiety to seek help without hesitation.
Jemimah described feeling ‘numb’ and frequently breaking down in tears, expressing her hope that by sharing her experience, she could offer solace and encouragement to others facing similar challenges.
“I want to be completely open here,” she began, her voice thick with emotion and pausing as tears welled. “My sole purpose in speaking out is to help anyone watching who might be going through something similar. No one enjoys discussing their vulnerabilities, but I was battling intense anxiety at the beginning of this tournament.”
She expressed deep gratitude to her teammates who supported her through that difficult period. “The anxiety was overwhelming. Before some matches, I’d call my mom and just cry to release it all. When you’re dealing with anxiety, you often feel completely numb; you don’t know how to act, you’re just trying to be yourself.” She highlighted the immense support from her parents and specifically mentioned Arundhati Reddy, recalling, “I think I cried in front of her almost every day. I even joked, ‘Don’t come near me, or I’ll start crying!’ But she truly cared, checking in on me constantly.”
Jemimah also credited Smriti Mandhana, who understood her struggles. “During net sessions, she would simply stand by me. Even the day before the semi-final, her presence alone was incredibly comforting.” She added, “Radha Yadav has also been a constant source of care. I feel incredibly fortunate to have friends who are like family. It truly is okay to reach out for help.”
Making her debut in the ODI World Cup, Jemimah’s initial performances were subdued, with scores of 0, 32, 0, and 33. The pressure mounted further when she was left out of the playing XI for the match against England in Indore, as the team chose an additional bowler.
“Being dropped deeply affected me. It sparks so many doubts,” she admitted. “My constant desire is to contribute to the team, but from the sidelines, there was little I could do. When I eventually returned to the lineup, the pressure intensified significantly.”
However, her return to the squad for the vital league match against New Zealand at DY Patil Stadium marked a turning point. There, Jemimah unleashed an unbeaten 76 runs off just 55 balls, guiding India to a crucial victory and rediscovering her formidable form.
“My family endured a lot alongside me,” she reflected, “but they consistently supported and believed in me even when I couldn’t believe in myself. Sometimes, all it takes is perseverance, and things eventually align. I am immensely thankful to everyone who stood by me and understood what I was going through, as I truly couldn’t have achieved this alone.”
Throughout her powerful century in the semi-final, Jemimah was frequently seen dropping to her knees, gestures she later revealed were silent prayers.
“I was in constant prayer,” she explained. “I was also having a conversation with myself because I was incredibly fatigued and low on energy. This led to a few less-than-perfect shots during a very challenging period. I kept debating, ‘Should I attack now, or take the game deeper?’ The crucial lesson was to stay at the crease. We knew we could accelerate towards the end.”
“I spoke to God because I feel a very personal connection with Him,” she added. “When I feel like I can’t carry on, I know He always carries me through.”
Despite being dropped twice, on 82 and 106 runs, Jemimah maintained unwavering focus, steadfastly anchoring India’s record-breaking chase of 339. Entering the crease at number three after only nine balls, she remained undefeated until the winning runs were scored.
“How do I describe this innings? Honestly, it hasn’t fully registered yet,” she said, tears mixing with a smile. “I wasn’t focused on scoring a century or proving myself at number three. My sole motivation was ensuring India secured the win. I believe that when you play for the team, rather than for personal glory, divine favour is often on your side.”
Rodrigues shared that during the team meeting on the eve of the semi-final, she had clearly stated her personal goal: to stay until the very end and finish the match.
“We were strategizing on how to improve, and I explicitly said, ‘I want to be at the crease until the final ball and see this game through.’ Whether setting a target or chasing, I knew my ability to run between the wickets and find unconventional gaps could add an crucial 20-30 runs. In a chase, I was determined to guide the team to victory. The preceding month had been incredibly tough, but in that moment, it felt as though every struggle had prepared her for this exact occasion.”
Despite losing both openers early in the innings, Jemimah, alongside Harmanpreet Kaur (89), resurrected India’s chase with a magnificent 167-run partnership. When Harmanpreet departed in the 36th over, the pressure on Jemimah only mounted.
“I kept telling Harry di (Harmanpreet) that we both needed to finish the game,” Jemimah recalled. “Ironically, her dismissal almost felt like a blessing. I was getting tired and losing focus, but her wicket immediately sharpened my sense of responsibility. I told myself, ‘Okay, she’s out, I’ll score these runs for her.’ That mindset instantly brought me back into the zone.” Jemimah asserted that the Indian team was never intimidated by the formidable target. “We had successfully chased down big scores against Australia before,” she explained. “Given how they started, I actually felt they were about 30 runs short. The DY Patil pitch is renowned for being high-scoring; any target feels achievable here. My strategy was straightforward: just stay at the wicket.”