Indian cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues has added another feather to her illustrious cap by being conferred with the prestigious Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Honour Award, Maharashtra’s highest sporting award.
A dynamic middle order-batter, reputed for her fearless stroke play and infectious energy on and off the field, Jemimah has been a consistent performer for India across formats. Hailing from the respective state, she has inspired countless young athletes with her journey from the maidans of Maharashtra to representing the country in marquee tournaments. This honour not only celebrates her achievements in the field of cricket but also recognizes her invaluable contribution to promoting sports culture in the state.
Rodrigues was honoured with a cash prize of ₹3 lakh and a memento at a special ceremony held at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune. The occasion was surreal for Jemimah, as it was at this very venue that her sporting journey began — though not in cricket, the sport that would later define her career, but in the game of hockey.
At just nine years old, Jemimah had tagged along with her father, Ivan Rodrigues, to the Balewadi ground, where U-19 state hockey selections were being scheduled. His intention wasn’t to get her selected, but simply to give his young daughter a sense of how sports trials operate.
In a moment she fondly recalled on social media, Jemimah narrated how someone passed her the ball, and she instinctively reverse-scooped it into the right-hand corner. The spectators and dignitaries watching were stunned, immediately asking, “Who’s that girl? She needs to be on the team.” And just like that, Jemimah earned her first-ever Maharashtra state selection — marking the beginning of a journey that would shine on the biggest of stages.
The-24-year-old has steadily established herself as a key figure in Indian women’s cricket across all formats. In her brief Test career so far, she has impressed with 235 runs from 3 matches at a remarkable average of 58.75. In the ODI format, Jemimah has featured in 42 matches, amassing 1,093 runs at an average of 29.54, which includes six half-centuries and a memorable century.
A regular face in India’s T20I setup, she has already made a significant mark in the shortest format, scoring 2,267 runs in 107 matches, showcasing her consistency and versatility as a middle-order batter.
In franchise cricket, Jemimah Rodrigues has been a celebrated and consistent name across leagues around the world. In the Women’s Premier League (WPL), she represents Delhi Capitals and has scored 507 runs from 24 innings, playing several impactful knocks for her side. In Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), Jemimah has turned out for three different teams, maintaining a cumulative batting average of 25.76.
She has also featured in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), appearing in five matches. In England’s The Hundred, Jemimah has been a consistent performer for the Northern Superchargers, amassing 453 runs in 18 innings, with a career-best score of an unbeaten 92 — one of the standout innings in the tournament’s history.
Devika Vaidya has quietly made a name for herself in Indian women’s cricket with her all-round skills and calm presence on the field. A handy leg-spinner and a dependable lower-order batter, Devika’s steady performances have earned her recognition beyond just the scorecards.
Recently, she was honoured with the Shiv Chhatrapati Puruskar — Maharashtra’s highest sporting award — a proud moment for both her and the cricketing community she represents. It’s a fitting acknowledgement for someone who’s been consistently contributing to the game, often away from the spotlight.
In ODIs, Devika has picked up 12 wickets from 12 matches, bowling with remarkable control at an economy of just 3.97 and an average of 20.25. She’s also chipped in with the bat, scoring 179 runs in 9 innings — proving she’s more than just a bowler. In T20Is, she’s managed 10 wickets from 14 innings, with an economy rate of 7.50, holding her nerve in the shortest format where margins are tight.
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