Women’s World Cup 2025: ‘Cried every single day, went through anxiety’ – Jemimah Rodrigues opens up after historic knock against Australia

An emotional Jemimah Rodrigues opened up on her sentiments during the post-match ceremony of an enthralling Women’s World Cup 2025 encounter against Australia at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. India chased down a record 339-run target on the back of a 127-run masterclass from Jemimah in Navi Mumbai on Thursday, October 30. 

She started off by praising Jesus, followed by appreciation for her parents and coach. Jemimah acknowledged that batting at No. 3 was not known to her up until the last moment. She also emphasised on how she followed the team-first approach in its entirety while batting in the middle instead of focusing on her own individual score. 

“Firstly, I want to thank Jesus, because I couldn’t do this on my own. I know he carried me through today. I want to thank my mom, my dad, my coach, and every single person who just believed in me throughout this time. It was really hard these last four months, but it just feels like a dream and it’s not sunk in yet. I actually did not bat at three. I was still at five while taking a shower. And when the discussion was happening, I just told them, let me know. So just before entering in, I got to know I’m batting at three. But I didn’t think about me. It was not for me to prove a point. It was just for me to win this match for India because we’ve always lost in certain situations. And I just wanted to be there to be able to take us through. Today was not about my 50 or my 100. Today was about making India win. I know I got a few chances, but I just feel like God has given everything at the right time and he grew it into the right intention, pure intention. And I just feel everything has happened so far just to sit up for this. You make your own luck,” stated Jemimah at the post-match ceremony.

The 25-year-old middle-order batter further mentioned how her “pillars of support” kept backing her in the midst of her deteriorating mental state after being dropped from the squad previous year. She also reiterated how her faith in the Bible helped her overcome setbacks and even guide her through to the end in what turned out to be one of the most epic run-chases in the history of women’s ODI cricket.

“Firstly, last year I was dropped from this World Cup. This year I came and I thought, okay, I’ll try it. I was in good form, let’s take it more. But things just kept happening back-to-back and I couldn’t control anything. I had such amazing people around me who believed in me. I’ve almost cried every day throughout this tour. I was not doing well mentally, going through a lot of anxiety. Then being dropped was rather a challenge for me. But I think all I had to do was show up and God just took care of everything. I think initially I was just trying to stay focused, I just keep talking to myself. But towards the end, I was just quoting one scripture from the Bible. Because I had lost energy, I was very tired. I was doing one scripture that said, ‘just stand still and God will fight for you’. And I just stood there and he fought for me. I think I had nothing left in me. It was really hard but I just tried to stay calm till the ball finishes. And at the end, just seeing that India won my final game, I think I couldn’t stop myself,” she added.

Jemimah spoke on her conversation with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur when both the batters were present at the crease. To wrap things up, the Player of the Match expressed thankfulness to the crowd who came out in aplenty to cheer for her and the Indian team.

“So when Harman di came, all we spoke was about one partnership. We just said, runs are coming. But towards the end, actually, if you want to see that, I was not able to, I was trying to push myself, I was not able to do. Richa keeps speaking to me. Deepti, everyone was speaking to me and encouraging me. Then Amanjot started lifting me up. I am so blessed that I have, when I cannot carry on, my teammates encourage me to carry on. I can’t take credit for any of this. I know I have done nothing. Navi Mumbai has always been special to me. I couldn’t ask for anything better. I would like to thank each and every member who chanted, who shouted, who believed, who cheered. Everything. And I knew when I was down and out, but for every run they were cheering, it pumped me up. Thank you for everyone who came in large numbers and everyone who supported,” concluded Jemimah.

India will take on South Africa in the final of the mega event on Sunday, November 2. The match will be played at the same venue. This 127-run knock was Jemimah’s third ODI ton and her highest score. She struck 14 fours during the entire innings.

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