Jemimah Rodrigues remembers Virat Kohli’s words as they helped her in the semi-final knock against Australia

During her historic century against Australia in the 2025 World Cup semi-final in Navi Mumbai, India's batting sensation Jemimah Rodrigues recalled an intriguing old conversation with Virat Kohli.

During her game-changing innings at the Women's World Cup, where she led India to the final with an undefeated innings against Australia, Jemimah Rodrigues revealed that she could still hear former Indian captain Virat Kohli's remarks regarding his game-winning knock against Pakistan at the T20 World Cup in Melbourne.

Rodrigues' outstanding effort of 127 runs off 134 balls in the 339-run chase against Australia was one of the greatest hits in Women's World Cup history. India advanced to the finals with an unforgettable five-wicket victory.

“I once spoke to Virat Kohli about this," Rodrigues said in an episode of the YouTube show Breakfast With Champions. “I asked him about that Melbourne knock. I said, ‘You know, this knock is something else… it was a crazy knock. What was going on in your head? How did such a knock even happen?’ What he told me was, ‘You know Jemimah, even if I want to take credit for that knock, I can’t. If you ask me to replicate that knock, I can’t. I was just grateful that God chose me at that moment to be the person to take India through.’"

“And when that World Cup semifinal happened, I just remembered what he said. Because I didn’t change anything in my practice. My preparation was the same. Everything was the same, but it’s just… you know, you are just chosen for that moment. And things just happen. I think that was one moment for me where I can’t take credit."

Rodrigues and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (89) put up a 167-run stand for the third wicket as India successfully chased down 339, marking the most successful run chase in women's ODI history. In the 2022 T20 World Cup, Kohli had previously led India to win over bitter rivals Pakistan with an undefeated 83 off 53 balls. While chasing 160, India was at one point 31/4, but the veteran maintained composure and helped his team win the match.

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