For almost ten years, Jemimah Rodrigues has lived a fascinating double life in Indian cricket. On one hand, she’s a classical batter, honed by Mumbai’s legendary cricketing traditions. On the other, she’s a vibrant social media personality, often seen strumming her guitar and captivating fans off the field.
Despite her success in T20 World Cups, lucrative franchise contracts, and a knack for viral online content, one significant dream lingered: the 50-over World Cup. Jemimah has graced four T20 World events, delighting spectators with her elegant cover drives and calm demeanor under pressure. However, the prestigious ODI format, considered the pinnacle of the women’s game (much like for men), remained just out of reach.
Now, that’s all about to change. The upcoming Women’s ODI World Cup, set to be hosted in India after a twelve-year hiatus, will finally see her step onto that grand stage.
“This is my very first ODI World Cup,” she shared, her smile a mix of pure excitement and palpable relief. “I truly believe the long wait has made this moment even more meaningful.”
This deeply personal journey stretches back to a memorable night in 2011.
On April 2nd of that year, homes across India erupted in joyous celebration as a 28-year wait for a World Cup trophy ended. The entire nation cheered when Mahendra Singh Dhoni hit that iconic six at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, securing India’s victory. But for a young Jemimah, then just ten years old, a different memory from that day etched itself into her heart.
Her family’s home in Bandra was practically a stone’s throw away from cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar’s residence.
“When Sachin sir came back, the street outside our house was absolutely packed,” she recounted. His car crawled along, taking over an hour to cover the final 100 meters to his home.
“His car could barely inch forward. That moment vividly demonstrated to me the profound significance of winning a World Cup in India.”
Fast forward six years, and a 16-year-old Jemimah found herself among a group of budding talents from the Mumbai Cricket Association, tasked with welcoming the Indian women’s team home at Mumbai Airport.
Jemimah Rodrigues in action against Australia in the opening match of the recent ODI series.
| Photo Credit: PTI
The team was returning from a historic campaign where they had stunned defending champions Australia in the semi-finals, largely thanks to Harmanpreet Kaur’s unforgettable, unbeaten 171. Though they agonizingly missed out on their first world title, losing to England in the final, their impact was undeniable.
Until then, Jemimah was accustomed to hearing stories of the women’s team arriving at airports almost unnoticed. But 2017 marked a clear turning point.
Harmanpreet’s phenomenal performance had captivated the entire nation. Overnight, the team dominated headlines, even after their close defeat in the final.
“The airport was absolutely teeming with people,” Jemimah recalled. “That’s when it hit me: women’s cricket had genuinely arrived.”
These two distinct nights—the euphoria of 2011 and the groundbreaking reception of 2017—bracketed the pivotal moments that transformed a simple love for the game into an undeniable calling.
Early Triumphs and a Heartbreaking Setback
From that moment, Jemimah’s ascent in the cricketing world seemed destined.
While her natural charisma quickly won over fans, it was the demanding Mumbai maidans that forged her powerful strokeplay and resilient temperament. By the age of 18, she had already secured a regular spot in India’s T20I squad.
However, a period of less-than-stellar performances in the ODI format led to her being dropped from the team in 2021. Her subsequent exclusion from the World Cup squad the following year, while not entirely surprising, was still a deeply painful blow.
“That was undoubtedly the lowest point of my career,” she confessed. “But looking back now, I see it as one of the best things that ever happened to me. Every setback, I believe, is simply a setup for an even stronger comeback.”
The ensuing weeks truly tested her determination. Jemimah allowed herself a mental break, grappled with her disappointment through solitary nights, and then, with renewed resolve, returned to rigorous training alongside her father, Ivan, and long-time coach, Prashant Shetty.
Together, they crafted a challenging training regimen specifically designed to push her limits: early morning sessions on unpredictable, damp Azad Maidan pitches where the ball would skid, followed by afternoon matches on challenging square turners against skilled Mumbai boys’ teams. One day she might face precocious under-12 talents, the next, aggressive under-19 fast bowlers. The underlying objective was clear: to instill absolute adaptability.
“When you can confidently bat on those kinds of challenging surfaces,” she explained, “playing international cricket suddenly feels much easier.”
Jemimah Rodrigues.
| Photo Credit: EMMANUAL YOGINI
Her relentless dedication bore fruit. A transformed, more rounded batter emerged—someone equally adept at steadying an innings during a chase and effortlessly clearing the infield. In the year and a half following that emotional setback, Jemimah cemented her place as a crucial pillar in India’s middle order and became a highly sought-after player in premier leagues globally, from The Hundred to the Women’s Premier League.
Fitness, Faith, and Personal Reinvention
Jemimah now emphasizes fitness with as much, if not more, dedication than she dedicates to her revered batting technique.
“You might possess all the skill in the world, but without the stamina to endure, especially in a 50-over match, it means little,” she elaborated. Her current training is meticulously crafted to ensure she remains acutely sharp, regardless of the game’s phase or the number of deliveries she has faced.
Her recent partnership with Red Bull further amplified these efforts, granting Jemimah access to world-class training facilities in Austria.
“It’s far more than just a sponsorship deal,” she commented. “They are truly empowering me to unlock my absolute highest potential.”
As a devout Christian, Jemimah finds solace and mental fortitude in her spirituality, particularly during the unpredictable highs and lows of her cricketing career. “When everything around me feels uncertain,” she whispered, “I know my faith is the steadfast rock that keeps me grounded. Even in the bleakest moments, I trust that something positive will emerge.”
This powerful combination of intense physical preparation and profound inner peace has enabled her to masterfully juggle her dual public personas: the fierce cricketer and the endearing entertainer.
A Torch-Bearer for Classical Cricket
For those who cherish the purity of the game, Jemimah embodies far more than just youthful exuberance. Her flawless cover drive is a direct echo of Mumbai’s illustrious batting heritage, a line stretching from legends like Vijay Merchant, Sunil Gavaskar, and Sachin Tendulkar, to modern stars like Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal. In women’s cricket, she proudly carries this tradition forward, a compelling testament that classical technique remains vital even in an age dominated by explosive franchise cricket.
This rich heritage infuses her inaugural ODI World Cup appearance with even deeper significance. The 2025 tournament, hosted in India, presents a unique opportunity to play before her family, friends, and on the very grounds that nurtured her talent. “A World Cup on home soil is every cricketer’s ultimate dream,” she stated, her voice full of emotion. “To finally be a part of it is truly something I’ve prayed for tirelessly.”
Her contribution will be absolutely crucial. India’s middle order has frequently struggled with consistency in recent competitions, and Jemimah’s unique skill set—her ability to both stabilize an innings and accelerate the scoring—positions her as the perfect link between the aggressive top-order batters and the powerful finishers. A successful tournament could firmly establish her as one of the most well-rounded batters of her era.
With the World Cup rapidly approaching, Jemimah maintains her signature cheerful demeanor—engaging with media, playfully teasing teammates, and keeping her beloved guitar close by. Yet, beneath this joyful exterior lies a fierce competitor, forged by past challenges and keenly aware of how swiftly circumstances in sport can shift.
The young girl who once pushed through a throng of fans just to catch a glimpse of Sachin Tendulkar on that unforgettable April evening now stands on the precipice of her own World Cup glory. The years of patient waiting, the profound disappointment of 2022, and the countless solitary hours spent perfecting her craft on unforgiving Mumbai grounds—every single moment has culminated in this tournament.
“My aim is to feel as strong and focused at the 300th ball as I do at the very first,” she concluded, a statement that perfectly encapsulates both her dedication to fitness and the enduring resilience that defines her entire career.
Steady, unwavering, and unequivocally where she was always meant to be.