Indian cricket star Jemimah Rodrigues has shared a powerful insight into the mental fortitude behind her historic, unbeaten century in the Women's ODI World Cup semi-final, revealing that words of wisdom from Virat Kohli played on a loop in her mind during the epic chase.
The Melbourne Connection: Kohli's Echo in Rodrigues' Ears
In a candid interview, Rodrigues recounted a past conversation with the legendary Virat Kohli about his iconic, unbeaten 82 against Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Melbourne. She had asked him how he managed such a miraculous innings, dragging India from a precarious 31/4 to victory while chasing 160.
"What he told me was, 'You know Jemimah, even if I want to take credit for that knock, I can't. If you ask me to replicate that knock, I can't. I was just grateful that God chose me at that moment to be the person to take India through,'" Rodrigues recalled.
This profound sentiment became her anchor during the high-pressure World Cup semi-final on January 10, 2026. Facing a mammoth target of 339 set by a formidable Australian side, Rodrigues knew the nation's hopes rested on her shoulders. She remembered Kohli's humility and the idea of being "chosen for the moment," which helped her shed the weight of expectation.
Zen Mode and Historic Chase Against Australia
Rodrigues described entering a state of intense focus, or "zen mode," during her innings. Alongside captain Harmanpreet Kaur (89), she forged a crucial 167-run partnership for the third wicket, systematically dismantling the Australian attack.
Her magnificent unbeaten 127 guided India to a record-breaking victory, completing the highest successful run-chase in women's ODI history. The moment of triumph, however, was raw and unplanned. "Until that final run was scored, I had nothing. I was blank," she said. When the winning boundary was hit, she hugged her partner, picked her up, and burst into tears, overwhelmed by the emotion of achieving such a feat in a home World Cup with her parents watching.
The Mindset That Tamed Australia
Rodrigues also shed light on the team's strategic mindset before the clash. The Indian camp viewed Australia as "more vulnerable in a semifinal than a final," drawing confidence from past upsets. This perspective fostered a sense of calm.
Even when Australia's Phoebe Litchfield and Ellyse Perry were batting dominantly, making a 400-plus total seem possible, Rodrigues and the team focused on controllables. She praised the bowlers for pulling things back in the final 10 overs, restricting Australia to 339. "I was like, 'Oh no, I was preparing for 400, but I got a 339 discount!' It felt feasible," she quipped.
This shift in perspective was crucial. By the time she walked out to bat, the conversation in the middle with Richa Ghosh was confident: "Actually, they are 20 runs short." That belief, combined with Kohli's inspirational philosophy and her own sublime skill, scripted one of the most memorable chapters in Indian women's cricket history.
