In a defining year for Indian women’s cricket, Jemimah Rodrigues has emerged as one of the brightest faces of the sport. The 25-year-old middle-order batter from Mumbai not only played a decisive role in India’s first-ever ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup victory in 2025 but also solidified her place among the world’s most consistent cricketers. Her story—marked by early talent, international breakthroughs, personal challenges, and steady rise—captures the evolution of Indian women’s cricket in the modern era.

Early Life and Background

Jemimah Jessica Rodrigues was born on 5 September 2000 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, into a Mangalorean Catholic family. Her father, Ivan Rodrigues, was a junior cricket coach, and her mother, Lavita, a supportive homemaker. Jemimah grew up alongside her two brothers, Enoch and Eli, in a household where sport was an everyday conversation. From an early age, her father recognized her talent and began coaching her himself at St. Joseph’s Convent High School, where he worked.

The family later moved to Bandra to provide Jemimah better access to sports facilities. Interestingly, cricket wasn’t her only forte—she excelled in basketball, football, and field hockey, representing the Maharashtra state team in hockey before eventually choosing cricket as her professional path.

Her early exposure to competitive sports, coupled with her family’s support, shaped a disciplined, confident athlete. Even as a child, Jemimah would spend hours practicing in the nets, often bowling to her brothers or hitting hundreds of balls under her father’s supervision.

Early Career and Breakthrough

Jemimah’s cricketing journey took off when she joined the Maharashtra under-19 squad at just 13 years old. Her name first made headlines in 2017 when she scored a blistering 178 off 142 balls against Gujarat in an under-19 match. Soon after, she created history with a double century (202 runs) against Saurashtra in a 50-over game—becoming only the second Indian woman after Smriti Mandhana to achieve this milestone.

Her performances earned her the Jagmohan Dalmiya Award for Best Junior Women’s Cricketer (2018) from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Scouts quickly recognized her natural timing, calm temperament, and ability to adapt to multiple formats—a rare combination in modern women’s cricket.

International Career and Milestones

Jemimah Rodrigues made her international debut for India in 2018, playing both T20I and ODI formats in the same year. Her early performances—37 runs on debut against South Africa and consistent scores against Australia—established her as a promising young player in India’s new generation of batters.

Her breakthrough year came in 2018, when she topped the run charts in the T20I series against Sri Lanka with 191 runs. The International Cricket Council (ICC) named her one of the “Players to Watch” at the 2018 ICC Women’s World T20 in the West Indies, where she was India’s standout performer.

In the years that followed, Jemimah became a vital part of the Indian middle order, combining aggression with stability. She represented India at major global tournaments, including the 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, the 2022 Commonwealth Games (silver medal), and the 2022 Asian Games (gold medal).

Her Test debut came in December 2023 against England, and two years later, she reached a major personal milestone—her maiden international century, scored against Ireland in January 2025.

Latest News: India’s World Cup Glory

The defining moment of Jemimah Rodrigues’ career arrived in November 2025, when India lifted its first-ever ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. In the semi-final clash against Australia, Jemimah played a career-defining innings—an unbeaten 127 runs that powered India to a record-breaking 339-run chase, the highest successful run chase in Women’s ODI history.

In the final against South Africa, her composed 73-run knock anchored India’s batting, guiding the team to a 52-run victory at DY Patil Stadium. Her partnership with captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her ability to absorb pressure earned her the Player of the Match award in the semi-final and the admiration of millions of fans.

Her World Cup heroics catapulted her into global recognition, marking a new chapter for Indian women’s cricket and positioning her among the sport’s elite batters.

Franchise Cricket and Global Recognition

Beyond international cricket, Jemimah has carved an impressive career across major franchise leagues worldwide. She has represented teams like Yorkshire Diamonds (England), Northern Superchargers (The Hundred), Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars (WBBL), Trinbago Knight Riders (WCPL), and currently plays for Brisbane Heat in Australia.

In India’s Women’s Premier League (WPL), she was acquired by Delhi Capitals for ₹2.2 crore in 2023. Across three seasons, she has scored over 500 runs, becoming a dependable figure for the franchise.

Her consistent performances in global leagues have made her a familiar face on the international cricketing circuit, where her flair and sportsmanship continue to inspire younger players.

Challenges and Resilience

Despite her success, Jemimah’s journey hasn’t been without difficulties. In 2024, she faced cyberbullying linked to online misinformation involving her family. The incident, though distressing, shed light on the psychological pressures faced by public figures in sport. She later spoke about mental health awareness, using her experience to advocate for kindness and accountability on social media.

Her ability to maintain form and composure through adversity has only strengthened her public image as a resilient and grounded athlete.

Impact and Outlook

At 25, Jemimah Rodrigues represents the new face of Indian cricket—confident, expressive, and global in outlook. She stands at the intersection of tradition and transformation, carrying forward the legacy of players like Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur while embodying the aspirations of a younger generation.

Her blend of technical finesse, mental strength, and charisma off the field makes her not only one of India’s most marketable athletes but also a symbol of the country’s growing dominance in women’s cricket.

As India looks ahead to defending its world title, all eyes will be on Jemimah—whether she’s stabilizing the innings, anchoring partnerships, or inspiring fans with her humble persona.

Most Searched FAQs about Jemimah Rodrigues

1. What is Jemimah Rodrigues’ age?
Jemimah Rodrigues was born on 5 September 2000 and is currently 25 years old.

2. Who are Jemimah Rodrigues’ parents?
Her father is Ivan Rodrigues, a cricket coach, and her mother is Lavita Rodrigues.

3. What is Jemimah Rodrigues’ role in the Indian team?
She plays as a right-handed middle-order batter and occasionally bowls right-arm off-break.

4. Which team does Jemimah Rodrigues play for in WPL and WBBL?
She represents Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League and Brisbane Heat in the Women’s Big Bash League.

5. What are Jemimah Rodrigues’ major achievements?
Her key highlights include India’s 2025 World Cup win, 2022 Asian Games gold medal, and 2022 Commonwealth silver medal.

6. Has Jemimah Rodrigues scored an international century?
Yes. She scored her maiden ODI century against Ireland in January 2025.

7. What is the latest news about Jemimah Rodrigues?
She was instrumental in India’s 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup victory, scoring a match-winning 127* against Australia in the semi-final.