It was just a few months ago that India was involved in a record chase in the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup 2025 against the mighty Australia. Things started to look dicey as India lost a couple of wickets with the pressure falling on Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur. What we witnessed after that was probably the best innings in the history of women’s cricket.
Jemimah scored 127 off 134 balls and ensured that India crossed the line to record a famous win and then carry that momentum into the final and lift the trophy. After her sensational knock, Jemimah came out for an emotional interview, where she revealed how she was going through a mental battle during the tournament and at times, struggled for confidence.
But the fans were treated to a rather confident version of the Mumbai batter. There was no self-doubt, just confidence as she made her way to the pitch with India losing an early wicket, and the timing and precision was just exquisite.
She anchored the chase perfectly, set up a fine partnership with Mandhana to see off any jitters and then just finished things off with an unbeaten 69. That innings showed that there was no hangover for the Indian star and in the run-up to another World Cup, make the No.3 spot her own.
Don’t waste good form
As we said earlier the confident version Jemimah came out for the post-match presentation and said that she just wanted to keep her momentum going and cash in on the form she was enjoying.
“That was my mindset. When you have good form don’t waste it,” said Jemimah.
Another example of her being a different player was the way she cheekily responded and told Murali Karthik that she would keep peppering the backward point and short third man area for boundaries.
As for her mindset during the chase, Jemimah said that it was all about playing to merit and not think about the past glory of the ODI World Cup win.
“My mindset was simple – watch the ball and play according to the merit. We have been doing really well, what’s happened in the past is past. Every day is a new day. The 2026 T20 World Cup is our goal, every game is a new game and we are playing towards that,” said Jemimah.
It was her 4th T20I fifty against Sri Lanka and the 14th in her career. But most importantly, it showed that she was ready for the No.3 spot.
Why Jemimah works at No.3?
Veda Krishnamurthy explained it perfectly as to why Jemimah is the right fit for the job. Speaking to the broadcasters, the former Indian cricketer said that the 25-year-old can be more useful in the spot as she can maximise the powerplay if needed and then take on the spinners in the middle overs.
“Yeah, I mean I like the fact that Jemimah is back at 3 because that is where she’s more useful, because she can come in, utilise that powerplay if there is an early fall of wicket, because she believes in getting those boundaries, and the boundaries that she picks are based on the gaps.”
“There are no power shots involved in it. Yes, she hits the aerial shot, but she doesn’t look to really smash the ball, so that is why it’s important when she walks in at No.3 as the opportunity to get boundaries is a lot more,” said Krishnamurthy. And then when she builds in the middle, when the spinners come she can use her feet, she can use the sweep shot, and that is where she’s more dangerous.
More than anything, the former cricketer can see that it was more of a statement that Jemimah deserves the spot over anyone else.
“So it’s good to see that Jemimah is back at 3 and after that knock again, I’m going back to that World Cup knock. I think it just sends a statement out saying that 3 is my spot and nobody else can play in that spot better than me,” said Krishnamurthy.
With India having more than 200 days to get their preps in for the World Cup next year, it is almost certain that Jemimah will be a vital cog once again.
– Ends
