India Relives Kapil Dev’s Moment in Rodrigues

It took a lot of trials and tribulation for one of the key players of the Indian Women cricket team Jemimah Rodrigues to realise her dreams to see India on top in the women’s world cricket. Her parents have been her role models. They bought a new house at Bandra despite having one at Bhandup to help cut down her travel to practice at Azad Maidan.

The 25-year-old batting star whose 124 knock saw India register a stunning victory over Australia has since become the toast of the nation. What  Kapil Dev’s whirlwind knock was for India in its first ODI win in 1983, Rodrigue’s knock of 124 was for Indian Women’ triumph over Australia.

In an exclusive interview to First Draft’s sports writer Saji Chacko, she shares her majestic march to lift the trophy to the thunderous applause by the nation.

Q: The whole world watched you lift that trophy… but only you know what it truly meant. How are you feeling now, honestly?

A: Even now, when I close my eyes, I can feel that moment all over again. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night, wondering if it actually happened… because it feels too big, too beautiful, too impossible to be real. I’m overwhelmed — not by the win, but by the journey. You don’t realise how heavy something is until you finally put it down. In the end it was a surreal feeling--- that of achieving everything. I do thank God for helping us win the elusive World Cup. 

Q: Before that moment, there were months of silent battles. What were those days really like?

A: There were days when I smiled to the outside world but  inside felt empty. There have been days when I would question everything — my form, my decisions, my future. I’d go to bed wondering, “Am I good enough? Will all this ever pay off?” There were moments where I felt like I was breaking. But every time I fell apart, I forced myself to stand up. And looking back… I think that’s where my strength was born — in the quiet, lonely moments when no one was watching.

Q: What kept you going through that darkness?

A There were two factors which kept me going through my dark phases. These are my faith and my family. And a tiny voice inside me saying, “Don’t quit. Not yet.” There were nights I cried into my pillow because I didn’t want anyone to see me weak. There were mornings when I would look into the mirror and say, “One more day. You can get through one more day. And somehow… one more day turned into this victory.

Q: During the World Cup, was there a moment when your emotions almost took over?

A Yes… the semi final. There was a moment when the pressure felt unbearable — the crowd was loud, my heartbeat louder. But then I looked around at my teammates… I saw fear, yes — but also fire. And something inside me changed. A feeling suffused me that my team mates were there to carry the job to the finish. When we won that game, I was overwhelmed with emotions. I went into the dressing room and cried — not because we won, but because we survived every single doubt that tried to break us.

Q: And the final… that last ball… that last heartbeat?

A: The moment the ball was caught, my world stopped. Not for celebration — but for relief. I felt every wound, every criticism, every long night, every silent prayer hit me all at once. My legs actually gave way. I dropped down, covered my face, and cried like a child. Because for the first time in a long time…I felt free. It was as if a big burden was off my shoulders. 

Q: What was it like seeing your parents after the win?

A: I ran into my mom’s arms and broke down. She held me the same way she would when I was no entity, not a cricketer, or a public figure, just her child. My dad had tears in his eyes. That shook me. He’s always been a strong father. Seeing him emotional… it made me realise how heavy was the weight of my dreams that he carried so long on his shoulders.

Q: And when you reached home… How did your ‘heart’ handle that moment?

A: It was a pure warmth waiting for me and mummy, of course…She didn’t say congratulations first. She said, “You look tired. Sit. Eat.” And the food? Chicken biryani and tandoori chicken —not because I asked, but because she knows it’s my comfort. The menu was, as always…decided purely by mummy. At that moment, the world champion disappeared…and the little girl came home.

Q. Who have been the role models in your life. Any male or female sportspersons whom you would look up to when you were young

A. My parents have been the role models in my life. The amount of hardships and sacrifices they have undertaken is beyond word. I remember we had a much bigger house in Bhandup, but they decided to buy a smaller house in Bandra, they had to raise a lot of money –since property is Bandra is so costly, this was done just with one purpose—to reduce my time to go to practice to Azad Maidan which was much closer to Bandra. They had to dip into their savings and go for a loan to finance the new house. This is something which I will never forget—they took that gamble when I was nobody, for me, my parents are and will be my role models for the rest of my life.

Q: What does this win mean to your soul, not just your career?

A:  It means my struggles had purpose. My tears had meaning. My setbacks weren’t punishments — they were preparation. This win healed parts of me I didn’t even realise were broken. It gave me back the confidence I lost…and the joy I almost forgot.

Q: And what do you want the next generation to learn from your journey?

A: That strength isn’t about never breaking — it’s about breaking and still choosing to rise. Dreams take time to realise. They take pain. They make pieces of you. But when they finally come true…they give you back everything you lost — and so much more. I think one should dream big and if one’s conviction is true then they will turn their dreams into reality.