Jemimah Rodrigues Reflects on Childhood Incident and Leadership Role in WPL 2026
A Glimpse into Jemimah Rodrigues' Past
Star batter Jemimah Rodrigues, who captains the Delhi Capitals, shared a chilling childhood experience that deeply affected her family. This incident occurred when she was just eight years old, long before she became a prominent figure in Indian women's cricket.
Rodrigues has established herself as a vital player in the Indian women's cricket team, significantly contributing to their historic World Cup victory in November 2025. Her remarkable innings of 127 runs off 134 balls in the semifinal against Australia, where India chased down a daunting target of 339 runs, is celebrated as one of the finest performances in Women's ODI cricket.
The Harrowing Incident
As the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 approaches, Jemimah recounted a frightening incident from her childhood during an interview. While attending a church program, she and her cousins were engaged in a playful 'chappal fight' outside the auditorium.
During the game, one of her cousins tossed a pair of crocs, prompting Jemimah to retrieve them. In her attempt, she slipped and fell from the first floor, leaving her family and friends in shock and fearing for her life.
Jemimah recalled, "We were outside the auditorium during a church program, playing chappal fight. My cousin threw her crocs, and I heroically decided to get them. I fell from the first floor, but fortunately, I landed on someone below. My cousins thought I had died."
Surviving Against the Odds
Though Jemimah survived the fall, the incident left her family shaken, as they genuinely feared for her safety. This early display of her adventurous spirit foreshadowed her future as a cricket star.
Had she not survived, the Indian women's cricket team would have lost one of its most promising talents, who later played a crucial role in their World Cup victories.
Leading the Delhi Capitals in WPL 2026
In the upcoming WPL 2026, Jemimah Rodrigues has been appointed captain of the Delhi Capitals, taking over from Meg Lanning, who was released prior to the mega auction. The team is eager to end their trophy drought after reaching the finals three consecutive times under Lanning's leadership.
Jemimah faces the challenge of guiding a squad that blends seasoned players with emerging talents while meeting high expectations. Since the inaugural WPL in 2023, she has been a key player for the Capitals, consistently performing well.
Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal expressed confidence in Jemimah's leadership abilities, citing her international experience, World Cup success, and long-standing association with the team as reasons for her selection.
In her WPL career, Jemimah has scored 507 runs, making her the third-highest run-scorer for the Delhi Capitals, with an average of 28.16 across 27 matches.
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