Jemimah Rodrigues: From convent girl to Indian super star

By Callistus Davy

To Indian cricket followers Jemimah Jessica Rodrigues was another member of their women’s team, but to the outside world she was a humble convent girl who became an overnight sensation thanks to the World Cup held in her country.

Jemimah could not find a place in the Women’s World Cup in 2022 and had more disasters come her way in the concluded 2025 World Cup after she was dismissed for a duck in India’s opening match against Sri Lanka.

She was removed from the team not just once but twice after failing to score a run the second time and the worst was going through Jemimah’s mind. Her world was collapsing on the world’s highest stage, the World Cup, and she made no secret that she called her mother several times sobbing and weeping.

But Jemimah, a woman of deep Faith and commitment knew she will triumph in the end. That belief paid off well and truly when she struck an imposing match-winning unbeaten 127 against Australia that put India into the final. The target was a massive 339 to win and beat the favourites Australia for a place in the final and Jemimah was there until the end.

When Jemimah’s team-mates rushed onto the field in wild celebrations hugging her to all glory it showed to what extent her presence in the team meant, truly a gem.

She was on her knees shedding tears of joy and made no secret of her emotions and how she felt to have carried the weight of more than a billion people on her slim shoulders when her country needed it most.

“I am so grateful for the people who believed in me and so grateful to Jesus and for His presence”, Jemimah told the international media at a post-match media briefing.

“I was praying and I was talking to myself. I lost a lot of energy and feeling very tired.  I just wanted to be there and finish it off”.

No sooner she hit the limelight with what she said was so far the innings of her career, Jemimah turned heads as the terminator of the defending champions Australia and the focus was on her.

From where is she, from where did she come and who is she were the questions being asked about the skinny 25 year old who first picked up a cricket bat at the age of just four years while watching her two elder brothers play cricket.

She will be the first to acknowledge that her doting father Ivan saw in her the making of a character that will one day come to be adored by a nation of more than a billion people.

“In India some people thought cricket is not a sport for girls or women but I was blessed to have a caring father and mother,” Jemimah said years before reaching her current superstar status.

She makes it a point to visit her school St. Joseph’s Convent in Bandra, Mumbai whenever time permits and has become the best role model for the girls.

“I make it a point to visit my school whenever I can and thank my teachers and I was the only girl who played cricket at the time”, she revealed.

It was no surprise that Jemimah did not get into any wild frenzy as is always the case when a batter reaches a century as she knew she had to take it upon herself in front of a packed stadium when the rest of the Indian frontline batters were back in the pavilion and Australia closing in on what would have been an eighth World Cup triumph.

“I did not play for myself, I did not play for my 50, I did not play for a 100, I just played for my team. Taking India to victory was my motivation”, she admitted.

Usually a middle order batter, Jemimah was told that chasing a target of 339 against Australia meant her team needed her to bat up the order.

“I was taking a shower and then I was told. I decided to take up the challenge and do it for India”, said Jemimah who did not want to disappoint her team-mates, especially the charismatic opening batter Smriti Mandhana whose presence she described as a source of inspiration when she was down and out.

“I was going through a lot of anxiety at the start of the (World Cup) tournament and I used to call my mom and cry and let it all out.

“When I was dropped from the team it really hit me and when you come back there is a lot of pressure”, she admitted.
Jemimah’s story is unlike any other. It will remain an immortal tale about a humble girl from a nation of 1.4 billion people who broke down barriers, conquered age old conservative traditions, so influencing in a way others can follow.