'You can win any tournament' - Jemimah Rodrigues’s dad reveals motivational chat before World Cup 2025 final

In the lead-up to the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 final, Indian star batter Jemimah Rodrigues received a message that may have changed everything. Her father, Ivan Rodrigues, revealed that a heartfelt conversation with a former Indian cricket legend instilled immense belief in his daughter right before the biggest match of her life. The encouraging words, “You can win any tournament”, became a guiding mantra for Jemimah as she prepared to take on South Africa in the title clash.

Words of belief that made the difference for Jemimah Rodrigues

According to Ivan Rodrigues, the timing of the message couldn’t have been better. Jemimah was already in strong form, but the pressure of a World Cup final is something few athletes can handle alone. The senior Rodrigues explained that the legendary player reminded Jemimah of her journey, from domestic cricket to becoming a global star, and urged her to play with confidence and joy, not fear. Those words, he said, had a profound effect on her mindset heading into the big game.

Jemimah’s father also shared how she has always thrived on motivation and faith. From her early days in Mumbai’s cricket circuits to the national team, she has been guided by mental resilience and the ability to learn from senior players. The conversation before the final served as a reminder that she wasn’t just participating in the match, she was capable of defining it.

As India lifted the trophy in front of a roaring crowd, Jemimah’s calm and focused innings became a symbol of that quiet confidence. While millions witnessed her composure under pressure, few knew of the personal exchange that fortified her spirit.

"I only told Jemimah one thing - attitude. Your attitude is important. Why is Dhoni Sir a legend? Attitude. His calmness, his willpower, and his application on the ground to take the right decision and take the game deep. India went to the next level when Dhoni Sir came. I gave an example of the India-Pakistan match (2007 World T20 Final). Who did he give the last over to? Joginder Sharma. We thought Harbhajan had overs left. The attitude and approach that he has, if you have that, you can win any tournament," said Jemimah's father in a conversation with India Today.