India’s ongoing three-match ODI series against Australia has been dealt a severe setback with the news that Jemimah Rodrigues will play no further part due to viral fever and post-illness weakness.
The development comes at a crucial juncture, with India needing to win the second ODI on September 17th to keep the contest alive before heading into the 2025 Women’s World Cup, commencing from 30th of this month.
Rodrigues managed just 18 runs in the opening clash in Chandigarh on September 14, yet her role in the middle-order remains pivotal for India’s balance. The BCCI confirmed her withdrawal in a statement, adding that the board’s medical team is “monitoring her progress.”
The timing of the illness is particularly unfortunate, considering Rodrigues has been in one of the best phases of her ODI career. Earlier this year, she produced 479 runs in 11 matches at an average close to 48, a tally that includes two hundreds.
These numbers marked her most productive stretch since 2023, when she accumulated 255 runs from five ODIs at a remarkable 63.75. More recently, she carried her form to England, posting scores of 48 and 50 in the ODI series there.
India’s batting was promising in patches during the first ODI, as Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana shared a 114-run opening stand, but the eventual total of 281 proved inadequate.
With Rodrigues sidelined, Tejal Hasabnis has been drafted into the squad from the reserves. The 28-year-old made her ODI debut against New Zealand in October 2024 and has since featured in six matches, scoring 140 runs at an impressive average of 46.66, with the highest score of 53*.
Though her recent outing against Australia A was modest—returns of 8, 19, and 1 across three games—the opportunity to step up against the senior side could not be more significant.
India’s updated squad:
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh (WK), Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani, Sneh Rana, Uma Chetry (WK), Tejal Hasabnis
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