India batter Jemimah Rodrigues recently revealed how advice from superstar Virat Kohli played a crucial part in her match-winning knock during a high-stakes World Cup semi-final. The mental guidance from the former men’s captain helped her navigate immense pressure, guiding India to the final.
Kohli’s Mantra: Calm Under Fire
Rodrigues, a key batter for India women’s team, has long looked up to Virat Kohli. Their interactions in BCCI and WPL settings clearly left a mark. She recounted his wisdom “constantly ringing” in her head during that tense semi-final chase. It was a pressure cooker situation. India had lost early wickets, the required run rate was climbing. But Rodrigues stayed composed.
Kohli’s core message? “Back your game; in a chase, take it deep; don’t let the pressure of the situation change who you are as a batter.” He also emphasized someone needing to step up and say, “I will do it.” These weren’t empty words for Rodrigues. She internalized them. “I could hear Virat bhaiya’s words in my head in that semi-final,” she shared in interviews. She kept thinking, “Stay in the moment, one ball at a time. Don’t think of the result, think of the process.”
The Semi-Final Heroics
The match was a World Cup knockout. India faced a strong opponent. When Rodrigues walked in, the chase looked dicey. She played a composed, counter-attacking innings. She rotated strike, found boundaries, and accelerated when it mattered. The knock was a game-changer. It took India from a near 50-50 situation to a comfortable win.
Her performance, an unbeaten 127 runs against Australia, was widely hailed. It sent India into the World Cup final. That century solidified her reputation as a “big-match player.” Sunil Gavaskar, for instance, even gifted her a custom guitar to celebrate this World Cup feat. And her composure was directly linked to Kohli’s advice on chasing under pressure.
A Blueprint for the Next Generation
Rodrigues credits this mindset for her success. She avoided panicky big hits early on. Focused on high-percentage strokes. She wasn’t fazed by dot balls. She trusted she could catch up later. She wanted to be the finisher. “When you are chasing in a big game, you can’t let the situation bat for you. You have to bat for your team,” she stated.
This kind of cross-gender mentorship is important for Indian cricket. “We are very lucky as a generation because we can watch how Virat, Rohit, Smriti, and others handle pressure. You can study their blueprint,” Rodrigues observed. Kohli’s general philosophy on chasing, pressure, and mindset is widely known. He hasn’t issued a formal statement on Rodrigues’ comments. But his consistent messaging is the clear source of her inspiration.
Jemimah’s Continued Rise
That semi-final innings is a constant reference point. It highlights her temperament under pressure. She’s a central figure in India’s white-ball setup. She’s a marquee name in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) for Delhi Capitals. Stories about her WPL and India performances often mention lessons learned from senior players like Kohli. Her ability to deliver in big moments is now undisputed.
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