Jemimah Rodrigues, centre, celebrates after winning the ICC Women’s World Cup semifinal against Australia. (AP Photo)
NEW DELHI: Indian cricket’s newest World Cup hero, Jemimah Rodrigues, broke down during the post-match press conference after guiding India to a historic five-wicket win over Australia in the ICC Women’s World Cup semifinal in Navi Mumbai. Her unbeaten 127 off 134 balls, which took India into Sunday’s final, was not just a triumph of skill — but of sheer mental strength.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Rodrigues revealed the depth of her struggle with anxiety and self-doubt in the weeks leading up to the semifinal, admitting that she cried almost every day before matches.“I’ll be very vulnerable here because I know someone watching might be going through the same thing,” Jemimah began, her voice trembling. “I was going through a lot of anxiety at the start of the tournament. I used to call my mom and cry the entire time — because when you’re going through anxiety, you just feel numb.”Having started the tournament with two ducks and later dropped for the match against England, Rodrigues said the phase shook her confidence. But she credited her family, close friends, and faith for helping her fight through.“My mum, dad, and friends like Arundhati and Radha were always there for me. I’ve cried in front of Arundhati almost every day. Even when she didn’t say much, her presence meant everything. I’m so blessed to have friends I can call family. And it’s okay to ask for help,” she said.
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Rodrigues also leaned on her Christian faith to cope.“Reading the Bible encouraged me in tough times. It says, ‘Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.’ And today joy came — but I’m still weeping,” she smiled through tears.When asked how she rated her innings, Jemimah said it was never about numbers.“I didn’t play for my 100 or to prove a point at No.3. I just played to make sure India win. When you do it for the team, God favours you.”Her story of faith, friendship, and courage turned the post-match presser into one of the most emotional moments in Indian cricket, showing that behind one of the greatest World Cup knocks ever was a young woman who simply refused to give up.
