Jemimah Rodrigues Honors Her Coach with a New SUV

In a touching tribute, Indian women's cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues has gifted a brand-new SUV to her childhood coach, Prashant Shetty. This gesture highlights the significant role Shetty has played in her cricketing journey since she was nine. As Jemimah prepares for the upcoming T20 World Cup in England, she reflects on her long-standing relationship with her coach, who has been instrumental in her development as a player. This story resonates with the tradition of cricketers honoring their mentors, showcasing the deep bonds formed in the world of sports.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 5, 2026, 09:03 IST

A Heartfelt Gesture from Jemimah Rodrigues

Jemimah Rodrigues, a prominent player in the Indian women's cricket team, has presented a brand-new SUV to her childhood coach, Prashant Shetty. This generous act reflects her deep appreciation for the significant role he has played in her cricketing journey. Jemimah has consistently acknowledged Shetty's unwavering support throughout her career. This gesture is reminiscent of other cricketers who have similarly honored their mentors; for instance, Virat Kohli gifted a car to his childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma on Teachers' Day in 2014, as mentioned in his 2016 autobiography. The Pandya brothers also showed their gratitude by providing financial assistance and a new car to their coach, Jitender Singh.

A Long-Standing Partnership

Shetty has been coaching Jemimah since she was just nine years old. Her cricketing journey began at the MIG club in Bandra, where her father, Ivan, a mechanical engineer and cricket coach, introduced her. Despite facing challenges due to the club being primarily for boys, Shetty recognized her talent and advocated for her inclusion. Over the past 25 years, Jemimah has trained under Shetty, who now operates the Kalpavriksha Cricket Clinic in Bandra. Following Jemimah's impressive 127-run performance that led India to victory against Australia in the ODI World Cup semifinal, Shetty reminisced about her early days at the club. He recalled how he fought for her opportunity to practice there, emphasizing her potential and the benefits it would bring to her future.

As Jemimah prepares for the upcoming T20 World Cup in England, she will participate in a preparatory camp at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru from May 10 to 16. Following this, she will travel to England for a three-match T20I series, leading up to the World Cup scheduled for June and July.