Virat Kohli Celebrates Stellar Performances of Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues

Virat Kohli has expressed his admiration for Indian women's cricket stars Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues, praising their exceptional performances in crucial matches. He highlighted Mandhana's impressive innings in the WPL final and Rodrigues' remarkable century in the World Cup semi-final, emphasizing their skills and mental resilience. Kohli's insights reflect the growing recognition of women's cricket and the talent within the sport. Discover more about his thoughts on these incredible athletes and their contributions to cricket.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 16, 2026, 15:20 IST

Kohli's Admiration for Women's Cricket Stars

Virat Kohli, the star batter for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), expressed his admiration for Indian women's cricket players Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues. He highlighted their remarkable performances in significant matches over the past year, particularly noting Rodrigues' century in the World Cup semi-final against Australia as the more impactful innings.

Praise for Smriti Mandhana's Exceptional Talent

During a discussion on the RCB Podcast, Kohli commended Mandhana's innate talent and poise. He referred to her explosive 41-ball 87 in the Women's Premier League (WPL) final against Delhi Capitals, which led RCB to their second consecutive title. Despite battling a severe flu, Mandhana's performance was pivotal in achieving the highest successful chase in WPL history, reaching 204 runs in 20 overs. Kohli remarked, "Smriti possesses a unique talent and an extraordinary way of striking the ball. Watching her play is a delight; she makes it look effortless, showcasing her skill in timing the ball perfectly."

Reflecting on her performance in the finals, he added, "It was incredible to see her excel under pressure, especially while unwell. I was not surprised by her ability, as she has demonstrated this before, but it was remarkable to witness her in such a high-stakes match."

Jemimah Rodrigues' Remarkable Mental Fortitude

Kohli also praised Rodrigues for her outstanding unbeaten 127 in the Women's World Cup semi-final, where India successfully chased down a record 338 runs with nine balls remaining. She formed a crucial partnership with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored 89, leading India to the highest successful run chase in Women's World Cup history. Kohli stated, "I was particularly proud of Jemimah. Her performance was extraordinary, especially considering the challenges she faced during the tournament. Luck plays a role in sports, but her achievement felt destined."

He further noted, "Watching her play, it was clear she was in her zone, completely focused on the game, undeterred by the pressure of facing the world champions. Her mental strength and resilience were evident, especially playing in front of her home crowd in Mumbai, and overcoming personal challenges."

Kohli's Take on the Emotional Significance of Rodrigues' Innings

When comparing the two remarkable innings, Kohli acknowledged that Rodrigues' World Cup performance held greater emotional significance for him. He stated, "Both innings were exceptional and memorable. However, if you ask Smriti, she would likely say that performing in the World Cup semi-final would be her preference over the WPL finals. For me, Jemimah's innings was more special, even though Smriti's was of world-class quality. I take immense pride in both of their achievements."