Star Indian batter Jemimah Rodrigues has opened up about her profound struggle with anxiety during the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup, revealing how the mental health battle nearly overwhelmed her amid the high-stakes tournament. In an exclusive interview with Cricbuzz, the 25-year-old described feeling trapped in a cycle of fear and self-doubt from the very first match, despite her pivotal contributions to India's historic campaign. Rodrigues, who played a key role in the team's maiden World Cup triumph earlier this month, admitted that rationalizing her emotions proved futile, as the anxiety persisted despite simple answers to her worries. Her candid reflection, shared roughly a month after her match-winning semi-final century, underscores the invisible pressures faced by elite athletes in spotlight events.

Rodrigues' challenges began early in the tournament hosted in India, where she endured a string of low scores—a golden duck against Sri Lanka, followed by modest contributions of 32 and 33—culminating in her being dropped for the crucial group-stage clash against England. This omission, she revealed, left her feeling "numb" and in tears, exacerbating the anxiety that had her crying almost daily. The Bandra native, known for her cheerful demeanor on the field, confessed to battling an internal storm that made even basic reassurances feel inadequate. Yet, it was her mother's unwavering support that became a turning point, especially ahead of the high-pressure encounter with Pakistan, where Rodrigues found solace in a heartfelt conversation that reaffirmed her worth beyond cricketing success.

In a moment of raw vulnerability, Rodrigues recounted her mother's bold words: "For me, even if right now you just want to leave the World Cup and come back home, I'm okay. And I will fight with everyone for it. But you being happy is what matters to me the most." The statement, unconventional in its permission to prioritize mental well-being over national duty, brought Rodrigues to tears but also profound relief. "You just saying this means the world to me," she told her mother, emphasizing how the validation of being valued "for me and not for what I can do" shattered the isolation. This exchange, Rodrigues noted, was exactly what she craved—unconditional understanding from someone who had walked a similar path, as outsiders often struggle to empathize with such inner turmoil.

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Despite the personal lows, Rodrigues channeled her resilience into a tournament-defining performance in the semi-final against Australia at DY Patil Stadium, smashing an unbeaten 127 off 134 balls to anchor India's record-breaking chase of 339—the highest successful pursuit in women's ODI history. This heroic knock, paired with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur's 89, propelled India to a five-wicket victory and a spot in the final against South Africa. In the summit clash, India clinched their first-ever Women's ODI World Cup title by 52 runs, with Deepti Sharma's match-winning five-wicket haul (5/39) and Shafali Verma's 87 earning her Player of the Match honors. Rodrigues' journey from fringe anxiety to triumphant contributor highlighted her growth, as she credited faith, family, and teammates for pulling her through the "terrible place mentally" that had defined much of the event.

Rodrigues' story extends beyond her semi-final heroics; she contributed 24 in the final, supporting a team total of 298/7 built on Shafali's explosive start and Deepti's steady 58. South Africa's chase faltered at 246 all out, with captain Laura Wolvaardt's valiant 101 unable to overcome India's disciplined bowling. The victory, watched by 45,000 roaring fans past midnight, marked a redemptive arc for Rodrigues, who had faced similar doubts after being dropped ahead of the 2022 World Cup. Her openness about the ordeal, including nightly calls home in distress, aims to destigmatize mental health in sports, encouraging others to seek help without shame.

As India celebrates its groundbreaking title—the first for any team to win after three league losses—the narrative shifts toward Rodrigues' advocacy for mental resilience. With the World Cup's record $13.88 million prize pool underscoring the sport's rising equity, her testimony resonates deeply in a nation where women's cricket is exploding in popularity. Rodrigues hopes her vulnerability inspires those silently suffering, reminding them that admitting weakness is the first step to strength, much like her own path from anxious tears to World Cup glory.

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