Jemimah Rodrigues, the Indian cricketer, recently engaged in some light-hearted banter regarding her entry into Australia for the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL). This came shortly after her remarkable performance in the Women's World Cup semi-final, where she played a pivotal role in India's victory against Australia.
Rodrigues, playing for the Brisbane Heat, made the humorous remark during a broadcast, saying, "I was not sure if Australia will allow me to cross the border after the semi-finals". Her comment was met with amusement by the broadcaster. She quickly transitioned to acknowledging the broader implications of India's victory for women's cricket on a global scale. "But honestly, everyone has been so warm and welcoming, and everyone is so happy in general for the growth of women's cricket. We know that it's going to change the game massively, not just in India but all over the world," Rodrigues added.
In the semi-final of the 2025 Women's World Cup, Rodrigues scored an unbeaten 127, guiding India to a record-breaking chase of 339 runs. Her innings secured India's place in the final, where they defeated South Africa by 52 runs to claim their first-ever ICC title. Rodrigues also participated in a significant 167-run partnership with captain Harmanpreet Kaur during the semi-final clash.
Despite her pivotal role in the World Cup victory, Rodrigues faced unwarranted criticism and trolling on social media. Some of these attacks were related to her Christian faith, with users mocking her for expressing gratitude to Jesus Christ after the semi-final win. Veteran Indian pacer Shikha Pandey voiced her support for Rodrigues amidst the online abuse.
Adding to the narrative of sportsmanship, Australian all-rounder Annabel Sutherland texted Rodrigues after the semi-final, commending her character and performance throughout the tournament. Rodrigues expressed her admiration for Sutherland's gesture, especially considering the context of Australia's defeat.
In her first WBBL appearance of the season, Rodrigues, playing for the Brisbane Heat, scored six runs off nine balls in her team's defeat to the Melbourne Renegades.
Jemimah Rodrigues, born on September 5, 2000, has been a vital part of the Indian women's cricket team since her international debut in 2018. She has represented India in Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). Besides her international career, she also plays domestic cricket for Mumbai and represents Delhi Capitals in the Women's Premier League. Rodrigues has also participated in various international leagues, including the Women's Big Bash League. She was drafted by the Brisbane Heat ahead of WBBL|10 and retained for WBBL|11.
