Jemimah Rodrigues: The Anxiety Behind the World Cup Heroics

Indian batting sensation Jemimah Rodrigues, still visibly emotional hours after anchoring a historic victory against Australia in the Women’s World Cup semi-final, opened up about a difficult, months-long battle with anxiety and self-doubt. The 25-year-old, whose magnificent, unbeaten century of 127 runs propelled India to the World Cup final, revealed that her match-winning performance came after a period of intense mental struggle, during which she admitted to “crying almost every day.”

Rodrigues’ stunning knock, which helped India chase down the highest-ever total in Women’s One Day International (WODI) World Cup history, was a moment of supreme redemption. However, the emotional dam broke during the post-match presentation and subsequent media interactions, where a tearful Rodrigues spoke with raw honesty about her internal demons.

The Weight of Anxiety and the Fear of Failure

“I’ll be very vulnerable here because I know if someone is watching this, they might be going through the same thing,” an emotional Rodrigues told the press. She disclosed that the anxiety began before the tournament and persisted, intensifying particularly before certain matches.

“I was going through a lot of anxiety at the start of the tournament, and it was a lot before a few games also. I used to call my mum and cry, cry the entire time, let it all out, because when you’re going through anxiety, you just feel numb. You don’t know what to do.”

The mental pressure was compounded by a dip in form earlier in the tournament, which led to her being dropped from the playing eleven for the game against England. This setback, she admitted, was a severe blow that fuelled further self-doubt. “It started with the anxiety thing. Then I was dropped from the team, and that really hit me,” she explained, revealing she questioned her ability to perform at the highest level.

Finding Strength in Support and Faith

Despite the internal turmoil, Rodrigues found her anchor in her support system. She credited her parents, her coach, and the unwavering belief of her teammates for helping her navigate the dark phase.

“I had such amazing people around me who believed in me,” she said, highlighting the constant encouragement from vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, who would stand by her during net sessions without saying much, and the daily check-ins from her close friend and teammate, Arundhati Reddy. “I’m so blessed to have friends I can call family, that I didn’t have to go through it alone, and it’s okay to ask for help,” Rodrigues added.

Her strong faith also played a pivotal role in maintaining her composure during the tense run-chase against the defending champions. Towards the end of the marathon innings, Rodrigues revealed she was physically and mentally spent, resorting to repeating a specific Bible verse.

A Knock for More Than Just a Win

Rodrigues’ century, which ultimately secured India’s place in the final, transcended a mere sporting milestone. She was clear that her motivation was not personal redemption, but a greater cause. “Today was not about my 50 or my 100. Today was about making India win,” she stated, reflecting on the team’s history of faltering in crucial knockout games.

Her tearful revelation has been hailed as a significant moment in Indian sports, bringing a much-needed spotlight onto the mental health challenges faced by elite athletes. By sharing her vulnerability at the peak of her success, Jemimah Rodrigues has delivered a powerful message of hope and resilience, affirming that even the greatest triumphs are often fought as much in the mind as they are on the field.

India will now face South Africa in the final, carrying the momentum of their record-breaking chase and the emotional surge from Rodrigues’ performance.