Virat Kohli's Heartfelt Tribute to Jemimah Rodrigues After India's Historic World Cup Victory

Virat Kohli took to social media to shower praise on Jemimah Rodrigues and the entire Indian women's team after their record-breaking five-wicket victory over defending champions Australia in the Women's World Cup 2025 semifinal. Kohli's special shout-out to Jemimah emphasized her "standout performance" in one of the most pressurizing moments in women's cricket history, as India chased down Australia's imposing 338-run total.

A Champion's Words of Support

The former India captain posted on X (formerly Twitter): "What a victory by our team over a mighty opponent like Australia. A great chase by the girls and a standout performance by Jemimah in a big game. A true display of resilience, belief, and passion. Well done, Team India! 🇮🇳"

Kohli's message was more than just congratulations—it was a recognition of the magnitude of India's achievement in pulling off the highest successful chase in women's ODI history (341/5 in 48.3 overs) and breaking Australia's 15-match winning streak in World Cup knockouts.

The Context of a Special Bond

Interestingly, Kohli and Jemimah have shared a mentorship bond before this moment. Earlier this year, during a trip to New Zealand, Jemimah revealed that she and Smriti Mandhana had spent nearly four hours in a motivational discussion with Kohli, during which he had told them: "You both have the potential to transform women's cricket, and I can envision that happening."

That conversation seemed to have resonated deeply. In the semifinal, Jemimah channeled that belief and confidence into one of the greatest innings in Women's World Cup history, scoring an unbeaten 127 off 134 balls in an atmosphere of intense pressure and expectation.

The Emotional Journey Behind the Triumph

Kohli's appreciation for Jemimah's performance gains additional poignancy when viewed against the context of her emotional journey. In a candid post-match interview, Jemimah broke down while discussing the previous six months:

"Firstly, I want to thank Jesus. I couldn't have carried it alone. Last six months have been tough. I was dropped from this World Cup last year, and I have cried every day. I was going through anxiety. I just had to show up every day, and God carried me through."

She further elaborated: "Today was not about my 50 or my 100. Today was about making India win. I know I got a few chances, but I just feel like God has given everything at the right time."

A Partnership That Changed Everything

Jemimah's 127 was underpinned by a stunning 167-run partnership with captain Harmanpreet Kaur (63), which became India's highest partnership in any World Cup knockout match and the highest against Australia in tournament history. This partnership turned the match on its head after India had stumbled early, losing openers Shafali Verma (10) and Smriti Mandhana (24) cheaply.

The Broader Celebration

Kohli was not alone in his praise. The entire cricket fraternity rallied behind the women's team:

Sachin Tendulkar posted: "Fabulous victory! 🇮🇳 Well done @JemiRodrigues and @ImHarmanpreet for leading from the front."

Former Captain Mithali Raj tweeted: "Nights like these remind you why you play this game. The belief, the fight, and the hunger to win—all came together tonight."

Bollywood actor Manoj Bajpayee wrote: "Kamaal kar diya! Into the finals! Pure heart, grit and class from our women in blue... Hats off to the entire team, and especially @jemimahrodrigues for that calm century under pressure."

The Final Awaits

With India now facing South Africa in the World Cup final on November 2, Kohli's words of encouragement will undoubtedly serve as additional motivation for Jemimah and her teammates. Her emotional and technical brilliance in the semifinal has positioned her as one of the tournament's defining performers, and the stage is now set for her to script one final chapter in India's quest for their first-ever Women's ODI World Cup title.

For Kohli—who has been a quiet supporter and mentor to the women's team throughout their journey—his public recognition of Jemimah's achievement represents a significant moment in Indian cricket's ongoing evolution toward true gender equality and recognition of women's sporting excellence.