Batting for Christ: The Faith-Driven Journey of Jemimah Rodrigues
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to
harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
— Jeremiah 29:11
On a regular September morning in 2000, a girl named Jemimah Rodrigues was born into a
lively, sports-loving family in Mumbai. A few knew that this bubbly, energetic child—who
simply wanted to follow her brothers into the cricket field for some fun—would become one
of India’s most loved cricketers and an unashamed witness for Christ.
But what makes Jemimah’s story powerful isn’t just the runs or the records. It’s how her
journey reveals God’s plan, purpose, and power for anyone who is willing
to trust and walk with Him.
When Jemimah was a child, her father would often watch her play with her brothers. By the
age of 12, she was already playing Under-19 for Mumbai, having also excelled in hockey
before deciding to pursue cricket. Her performance gave her chance to enter the Under-19
camp, a success there will lead her to glory – playing for India.
But it wasn’t all straight drives and centuries.
In her first Under-19 camp, Jemimah played 50 matches and scored just 150 runs.
“Why didn’t I perform better?” she asked herself. But that’s when she began to have a deeper
encounter with Christ. Christ became more real for her. God spoke to her through
Jeremiah 29:11, she understood God’s plan – “plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.”
She trained harder. Her family, in faith, bought a bowling machine they could barely afford.
That season? Jemimah topped the charts—most runs, most wickets, highest strike rate. But
still, she didn’t make it to the Indian team.
Nevertheless, Jemimah pondered over the sayings “Am I willing to trust God’s timing
more than mine?” as she was ready to pursue because she knew God’s Plan for her.
Friend, are you struggling with a plan that seems delayed? Remember, God’s delays are never
His denials. Your current disappointment may just be a detour to destiny. Your current
struggles do not define your future.
In 2017 Jemimah was walking through a season of struggle and discouragement. She took an
image of India Women cricket Jersey, and put her face in it and kept it on her desk. She
worked and trained; she knew her dream is aligned with God’s Purpose.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart.” —
Jeremiah 1:5
Six months later, another door opened. She was selected for the South Africa tour to
represent India. God’s hand was evident in the selection.
In her debut T20I against South Africa, she was in a crucial partnership yet she set a record
of scoring 37 off 27 balls. And in her own words, she said:
“I have the royal blood of Jesus running through my veins and my saviour will lift me up”
What happened next? A 36 off 15 balls, three consecutive sixes, attaining scores of 50, 57,
42 in the succeeding games. She was declared the “Player of the Tournament”.
Now, Jemimah Jessica Rodrigues is an Indian cricketer who is an all-rounder representing the
India Women’s National Cricket Team. Mainly, she is the second woman to score a double
century in a 50-over cricket match.
God’s Priority: God First
Jemimah is a worship leader in her Church, a good guitarist. For her, Jesus isn’t a Sunday
name—He’s her friend, coach, and confidante.
“Whether I play or not, Jesus loves me… He walks with me, hugs me when I’m low, and
listens when no one else does.”
In a world where ministry can easily become more important than God, Jemimah reminds
us:
“Jesus is more real to her. It’s like holding HIS hand and walking on Life’s Lane”
