Is it even legal to play Under-19 cricket at 13 years of age? And then shine in multiple sports — basketball, football, and hockey — before becoming one of India’s brightest cricketing stars? Jemimah Rodrigues has done all that and more.
Born and raised in Mumbai, Jemimah Rodrigues displayed extraordinary athletic talent from a young age. Before dedicating herself fully to cricket, she represented her school in basketball and football and even played hockey at the national level. Her cricketing journey took off when she debuted for Mumbai’s Under-19 side in the 2012–13 season — at just 13.
Her breakout moment came in 2017 when she became only the second Indian woman after Smriti Mandhana to score a double-century in the domestic Under-19 One-Day Trophy, blasting an unbeaten 202 against Saurashtra. That season, Rodrigues amassed over 1,000 runs at an average of 112.56 and took 19 wickets with her off-spin — a rare all-round feat. The performances earned her a maiden call-up to India’s ODI squad for the 2018 South Africa tour, where she made her international debut across formats the same year.
Rodrigues’ rise was also a story of sacrifice and support. Her family moved from Bhandup to Bandra in Mumbai to access better facilities, with her father, Ivan Rodrigues, serving as her first coach. Since then, Jemimah has been a mainstay in India’s white-ball setup — known for her calm temperament, quick footwork, and dynamic stroke play.
Initially an opener in age-group cricket, she later adapted to the middle order in ODIs under coach Amol Muzumdar, who recognized her ability to accelerate during the death overs. Her first two ODI hundreds came from the No. 4 and No. 5 positions, solidifying her as India’s go-to finisher. After briefly being dropped from the T20I side, she reworked her power-hitting — a move that paid off handsomely.
Beyond batting, Rodrigues is regarded as one of India’s finest fielders, agile both inside the circle and on the boundary. She also began her Test career impressively, scoring three half-centuries in just five innings, including a fifty on debut against England.
Globally, she’s a sought-after T20 talent, having played in premier leagues such as England’s Kia Super League, The Hundred, Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), and Caribbean Premier League (WCPL). Her explosive stint with the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred’s inaugural season — where she scored 249 runs at a strike rate of 150.90 — marked her return to India’s T20I team.
In the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction, Rodrigues was snapped up by Delhi Capitals for ₹2.2 crore, underlining her stature as one of Indian cricket’s most valuable and versatile stars.