Jemimah Rodrigues is one of the brightest stars in Indian women’s cricket today. Rising from Mumbai’s maidans and hockey grounds, she has grown into a global cricketer, making waves across formats and leagues. Her blend of flair, consistency, and fierce ambition sets her apart. In this article we trace her rise—how she began, the records she’s broken, her standout achievements, and why she is poised to lead the next generation. We also examine the turning points in her career, the challenges she’s overcome, and what the future holds for this dynamic batter.
Early Life & Sporting Roots
Born on 5 September 2000 in Mumbai, Jemimah grew up in a sporting family in Bhandup before moving to Bandra West for better facilities. From an early age she was immersed in sport—not just cricket but also hockey, representing Maharashtra at Under-17 and Under-19 levels. Her father, Ivan Rodrigues, played a big role as her first coach, encouraging her to push boundaries and blend athleticism with technique.
By age 13 she had already made her mark in U-19 cricket. Her early dual-sport background (hockey plus cricket) helped develop power, hand-eye coordination and mental toughness—traits that would later define her batting.
Domestic Breakthroughs: The Double Ton & Beyond
Jemimah’s domestic performances signalled her arrival long before she made her international debut. One of the most eye-catching feats came in November 2017 when she scored an unbeaten 202 off 163 balls in a 50-over match for Mumbai vs Saurashtra—becoming only the second Indian woman after Smriti Mandhana to register a double century in a 50-over game.
Just before that, she had smashed 178 off 142 balls in an under-19 tournament—evidence of extraordinary potential at age 17. Her record-setting domestic totals quickly caught attention—a major reason why she was fast-tracked into the Indian system.
Domestically, her consistency was notable: in 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons she emerged among top run-scorers in junior and senior circuits. These performances built a strong foundation for her global ambitions.
International Debut & Establishment
Jemimah made her T20 International debut for India on 13 February 2018 versus South Africa, and followed shortly with her ODI debut on 12 March 2018 against Australia.
While international cricket was fresh terrain, she brought the same aggression and flair that defined her domestic play. Her adaptability across formats helped her secure a place in India’s white-ball teams.
In December 2023 she made her Test debut against England—marking her entry into cricket’s longest format and signalling her evolution into a multi-format player.
Career Highlights & Records
Stand-out Performances
- Her maiden ODI century came on 12 January 2025 against Ireland in Rajkot, scoring 102 from 91 balls, powering India to a record total of 370/5—among the highest in Indian women’s ODI history.
- Jemimah Rodrigues starred in the semi-final of the 2025 Women’s World Cup, smashing an unbeaten 127 off 134 balls to guide India in a record run-chase of 339 against Australia.
- In May 2025 she scored a career-best 123 against South Africa in Colombo in an ODI, which helped India advance into the final of a tri-nation series.
- A defining attribute of her batting is the ability to shift gears—from steady accumulation to explosive hitting. She herself said about her maiden ton: “I shifted gears today … started patiently and then moved through the gears.”
- Globally in franchise cricket, her stint in The Hundred (UK) saw her shine: she was second-highest run-scorer in the inaugural women’s edition with 249 runs and a highest score of 92*.
Unique Records & Firsts
- Second Indian woman to score a domestic 50-over double century.
- Among the youngest to break into India’s senior teams, and quickly transition from domestic to international arenas.
- Has combined batting brilliance with athletic fielding and part-time off-spin—making her a more complete cricketer.
- High-value auction pick in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and platinum pick in WBBL—signalling her global demand.
Jemimah Rodrigues International Matches Career Stats
Batting
| Format | Mat | Inns | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
| WTests | 3 | 5 | 235 | 73 | 58.75 | 65.64 | 0 | 3 | 35 | 3 |
| WODIs | 58 | 55 | 1725 | 127* | 35.20 | 90.31 | 3 | 8 | 187 | 5 |
| WT20Is | 112 | 99 | 2375 | 76 | 30.06 | 116.47 | 0 | 13 | 271 | 21 |
Bowling
| Format | Mat | Inns | Runs | Wkts | Ave | Econ | SR |
| WTests | 3 | 1 | 13 | 0 | – | 6.50 | – |
| WODIs | 58 | 4 | 18 | 5 | 3.60 | 2.51 | 8.6 |
| WT20Is | 112 | 5 | 50 | 1 |
Jemimah Rodrigues T20 Leagues Career Stats
| Tournament | Mat | Inns | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
| WPL | 27 | 24 | 507 | 69* | 28.16 | 139.66 | 0 | 3 | 59 | 11 |
| WBBL | 30 | 28 | 644 | 75* | 25.76 | 121.50 | 0 | 3 | 78 | 7 |
| WCPL | 5 | 5 | 105 | 59* | 26.25 | 108.24 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 1 |
| Women’s 100 | 19 | 18 | 453 | 92* | 26.64 | 137.68 | 0 | 4 | 71 | 3 |
Franchise & Global League Impact
Jemimah Rodrigues has not limited her cricket to India alone. Her franchise and global league exploits have added significant dimension to her career.
- In The Hundred (UK) she made a strong impression with her 92* and averaging over 40 across the tournament.
- In the inaugural WPL in 2023, she was bought by the Delhi Capitals (Women) for INR 2.2 crore—a clear vote of confidence in her talent.
- In the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) she has been snapped up by teams like the Brisbane Heat (platinum buy for 2024-25 season) and earlier by Melbourne Renegades.
- Her presence in overseas leagues underscores her adaptability and global brand value—a modern cricketer comfortable in traditional and franchise formats alike.
Playing Style & Key Strengths
Jemimah Rodrigues’s batting style is characterised by elegance, timing and a fearless stroke-play attitude. Some key traits:
- Stroke variety: She uses her hockey-background strength (bottom hand power) to execute crisp pulls, lofts and cover drives.
- Adaptability: Able to build innings in ODIs and switch to high-tempo T20 mode when needed. Her comments post-century indicates her focus on patience and then acceleration.
- Athleticism in field and versatility: She contributes as a fielder (sharp boundary work) and part-time off-spinner—making her a valuable all-round asset.
- Mental resilience: She has spoken in interviews about handling pressure, criticism and dips in form—her hockey background and family support often referenced as grounding factors.
Jemimah Rodrigues’s Milestones & Turning Points
- 2017: Domestic double-century—a major wake-up call for selectors and cricket fans.
- 2018: International debut across formats—T20I and ODI.
- 2021-22: Global league impact—The Hundred and WBBL exposure.
- 2023: Test debut and consolidating her place in India’s multi-format setup.
- 2025: Major centuries, global recognition and entering critical phases for leadership.
These milestones mark her transition from prodigy to performer to cornerstone player.
Challenges & Areas of Growth
Despite her success, key areas remain for further growth:
- Consistency across formats: While her T20 and ODI performances are strong, maintaining top-form across all formats (including Tests) is a continuing journey.
- Big-match conversion: As she becomes the go-to batter, opponent teams target her—so evolving tactics and reading match situations will matter.
- Leadership & responsibility: As her career matures, leadership roles (on and off the field) will test her resilience, communication and influence.
- Global brand & impact: With growing franchise value, balancing performance, fitness, media-engagement and brand endorsements is increasingly important.
These challenges are not deterrents—they are part of her evolution.
Why Her Rise Matters for Indian Women’s Cricket?
Jemimah Rodrigues’s ascent is significant beyond her personal achievements—it reflects broader trends and potential in Indian women’s cricket:
- Her success shows the growing depth of talent beyond a few icons—India now has younger players who combine flair with consistency.
- Her participation in global leagues and high-auction values enhance the professionalisation and commercialisation of women’s cricket in India.
- She serves as a role model for young girls from small towns and urban centres alike—showing that sport + education + ambition can combine.
- Her global exposure helps Indian women cricketers gain more visibility, break barriers and command attention in international arenas.
In essence, her rise is both inspirational and transformational for the sport’s ecosystem.
How She Helped India to Win the semi-final of 2025 Women’s World Cup ?
Jemimah Rodrigues starred in the semi-final of the 2025 Women’s World Cup, smashing an unbeaten 127 off 134 balls to guide India in a record run-chase of 339 against Australia.
Her partnership of 167 runs with Harmanpreet Kaur (who scored 89) anchored India when the chase looked perilous.
Crucially, Australia dropped her twice late in the innings, which proved costly.
Jemimah Rodrigues’s composure under pressure, shot selection and ability to rotate strike turned the tide in India’s favour and sealed a place in the World Cup final.
What’s Next: The Road Ahead
For Jemimah Rodrigues, the next chapters could include:
- Cementing her position as a senior batter in India’s team and possibly leading in future tournaments.
- Continued franchise dominance—becoming one of the first globally recognised Indian women players in multiple leagues.
- Breaking more records: higher averages, more centuries, leadership milestones.
- Off-field influence: brand endorsements, ambassador roles for women’s sport, mentoring younger talent.
- Expanding her game: improved spin bowling, fielding leadership, multi-format excellence.
If her past trajectory is any guide, the best is yet to come.
Final Thoughts
Jemimah Rodrigues’s story is a compelling blend of talent, ambition, hard work and timing. From Mumbai’s cricket grounds to global leagues and international fame, she has shown that the new generation of Indian women cricketers is hungry, equipped and world-class.
Her records, while impressive, are just part of the story—her growth mindset, adaptability and charisma make her stand out. As Indian women’s cricket continues to ascend, players like Jemimah are not just participants—they are catalysts.
For fans, budding cricketers and analysts alike, her rise offers both learning and inspiration. She embodies how early preparation (hockey + cricket), domestic excellence, global exposure and mental resilience combine to shape elite athletes.
In short: the rise of Jemimah Rodrigues is not just about runs scored or records broken—it’s about forging identity, inspiring change and leading a sport forward. And the journey has only just begun.
FAQs
1. When did Jemimah Rodrigues make her international debut?
She made her T20I debut on 13 February 2018 and her ODI debut on 12 March 2018.
2. What is Jemimah Rodrigues highest score in international cricket?
Her highest ODI score is 123 against South Africa (May 2025). She has also scored 102 in 2025 as her first ODI century.
3. What domestic record is Jemimah Rodrigues known for?
She scored an unbeaten 202 off 163 balls in a 50-over domestic match in November 2017, becoming only the second Indian woman after Smriti Mandhana to score a double century in a 50-over game.
4. Which global leagues has Jemimah Rodrigues played in?
She has played in The Hundred (UK), Women’s Big Bash League (Australia) and the Women’s Premier League (India).
5. What are Jemimah Rodrigues strengths as a cricketer?
Her key strengths include dynamic stroke-play, adaptability across formats, strong athleticism, part-time spin bowling and mental resilience.
6. What should Jemimah Rodrigues focus on going forward?
Maintaining consistency across formats, converting starts into big scores, enhancing leadership, and expanding her global brand and performance are the areas to watch.
Related Blog: Harmanpreet Kaur Career Stats
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