Jemimah Rodrigues Reflects on Pressure and Triumph in World Cup Journey

In a candid interview, Jemimah Rodrigues reflects on her challenging experiences during the ICC Women's World Cup, revealing the pressure she faced and her emotional journey back to form. She emphasizes the significance of her performance against New Zealand, which she considers more impactful than her century in the semifinals. With the T20 World Cup approaching, Rodrigues aims to lead her team to victory, showcasing her resilience and determination. Discover her inspiring story and insights as she prepares for the upcoming tournament.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 2, 2026, 19:11 IST

A Defining Moment in the World Cup

Indian cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues shared her most anxious moment while batting during a crucial ICC Women's World Cup match against New Zealand last year. She revealed that her half-century in that game held more significance for her than her century in a record chase against Australia in the semifinals. Currently, she aims to deliver outstanding performances to help the T20I team secure her second major white-ball title in the UK, as discussed on JioStar's 'Unstoppable'.

Overcoming Adversity

During the World Cup, Rodrigues faced a setback when she was left out of an important match against England after scoring only 65 runs in her previous four innings, which included two ducks. However, she made a strong comeback against New Zealand, scoring an impressive 76* in a must-win situation following three consecutive losses to South Africa, Australia, and England.

Emotional Journey

In her conversation on 'Unstoppable', Jemimah expressed her uncertainty about making the playing XI for the New Zealand match. She admitted, "My bat had let me down in the previous games. I was not contributing to the team's cause. The frustration was building up inside." To cope, she took her kit bag to the nets and hit every ball with raw emotion. After a session of intense practice, she broke down in tears, feeling heartbroken and disappointed with her form. A teammate, Arundhati Reddy, encouraged her to visit a church, which she did. The next morning marked the first time in 45 days that she felt genuinely happy.

A Career-Defining Performance

Jemimah described her nerves during the New Zealand match, stating she had "never been more nervous in my life" and felt "numb" during her first ten balls. She focused on surviving those initial moments, telling herself, "Jemi, just get past these 10 balls, and you will be fine." With her teammate Pratika at the other end, she played conservatively, executing proper cricketing shots when the opportunity arose. Her mindset was solely about contributing to the team's success. After that match, everything clicked for her, culminating in a score of 76 not out off approximately 55 balls. She emphasized that this innings was more meaningful to her than her century in the semifinals.

Support from the Captain

Harmanpreet Kaur, the team captain, discussed the decision to rest Jemimah during the England match, noting that it was a strategic move to prevent further decline in her confidence. Kaur explained, "She did not have a great start to the ODI World Cup with the bat. The runs were not coming. Her confidence was dropping." The team believed that a short break would be more beneficial than continuous training. Kaur affirmed that Jemimah was always a key player in their plans, and her return against New Zealand proved their trust was well-placed.

Looking Ahead to the T20 World Cup

India's T20 World Cup campaign is set to kick off against their long-time rivals, Pakistan, on June 14 in Birmingham. The team is grouped with Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands.