Jemimah Rodrigues overcomes anxiety to script emotional masterclass against Australia

Her unbeaten 127 off 134 balls at the Dr. DY Patil Stadium wasn’t just a record-breaking chase — it was redemption. Dropped earlier in the tournament and wrestling with anxiety, Jemimah’s raw honesty after the win offered a rare glimpse into the emotional toll of elite sport.

“I’ll be very vulnerable here because someone watching this might be going through the same thing,” she said, her voice trembling at the post-match press conference. “I was going through a lot of anxiety at the start of the tournament. Before a few games, I’d call my mum and cry. You just feel numb — you don’t know what to do.”

Support, she said, came from her family and teammates. “My mum and dad stood by me, and my friends — Arundhati, Smriti, Radha — they were my strength. I’m blessed to have friends I can call family. It’s okay to ask for help,” Jemimah said.

The 24-year-old’s mental battle deepened when she was dropped after inconsistent early scores — 0, 32, 0, 33 — prompting her to question her place in the team. “That really hit me. You doubt yourself; wonder if you’re good enough. But sometimes, all you can do is hang in there, and things fall into place,” she reflected.

Her comeback was nothing short of poetic — silencing doubt with grace and grit, anchoring India’s record chase of 339 against the world champions, and sealing a place in Sunday’s final against South Africa, who are making their first-ever appearance in a Women’s World Cup final.

Jemimah’s performance was more than a sporting highlight — it was a triumph of spirit, a reminder that courage is often forged in moments unseen.