There’s something deeply personal about coming home, and for Jemimah Rodrigues, Navi Mumbai brings more than just familiarity — it brings warmth, belief, and belonging. As India gears up for their final league encounter against Bangladesh Women, the dynamic batter couldn’t hide her affection for the city that raised her.
“Navi Mumbai is home for me. There’s a different kind of warmth, there’s a different kind of positivity,” Jemimah said with a smile that carried years of memories. “It’s not just me, the entire team feels it here because of the people around and how they make you feel. You know, they make you feel special, they make you feel loved, they’ll cheer for you, they’ll come out in large numbers, and that’s Navi Mumbai for us.”
For her, this week isn’t just another stop in a long tournament. It’s a homecoming. The comfort of familiar faces, minimal travel, and a crowd that roars for every Indian run have made a palpable difference in team spirit. “Being a Mumbai girl, it’s always nice to be playing at home,” she added. “This World Cup has been a lot of travelling, so our hotel is right here, so chill.”
But beyond the smiles and the comfort, there’s a fierce determination that runs through Jemimah and her teammates. India went through a rough patch — three straight losses that put their campaign on the edge. Yet, they found their way back with a commanding win over New Zealand, sealing a semi-final berth.
Reflecting on that tough phase, Jemimah shared a candid thought that echoed maturity beyond her years. “The character of a team is always tested, not when you’re winning everything, but when you’re down and out. We lost three games in a row, and we were under a lot of pressure, we were under a lot of criticism. When things don’t go your way, it’s easy to get distracted with the voice. But one good thing this team has done is they’ve stayed together.”
That togetherness showed when she returned to the playing XI, promoted to bat at No. 3, and crafted an unbeaten 76 off 55 balls — an innings filled with purpose and poise. The knock didn’t just rescue India’s campaign; it reignited her own spark.
Jemimah believes that what makes this group special isn’t just skill, but connection. “I believe personally this has been one of the best teams so far for us,” she reflected. “Because we’ve played so much cricket together, we know each other. Our energy is great. It’s a young team with experienced players. A champion team is a team which knows how to bounce back — and that’s what this team did.”
The Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy stands ready for another full house when India takes the field again later this week, this time in the semi-final against Australia. For Jemimah, there’s pride in calling this ground home. “We spoke about in the dressing room that this is our ground, we cannot let anyone come and take whatever they want, this is our home, we want to dominate here and we just want to play good cricket.”
The words carry a quiet passion — the kind that turns setbacks into stories of resilience. As Navi Mumbai welcomes its own daughter and her team, Jemimah’s homecoming is more than symbolic; it’s the heartbeat of India’s fightback.
(Quotes sourced from video posted by BCCI)
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