IPL chairman Arun Dhumal drew a remarkable parallel between Jemimah Rodrigues’ unbeaten 127 in the Women’s World Cup semi-final and Kapil Dev’s iconic innings in the 1983 World Cup, praising her for a game-changing performance that revived India’s hopes and turned skeptics into believers.
In a glowing tribute, IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal compared Jemimah Rodrigues’ breathtaking unbeaten 127 off 134 balls in the Women’s World Cup 2025 semi-final to the legendary Kapil Dev's heroic 175* against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup. Though Kapil’s innings went largely unseen due to limited broadcast, Dhumal noted that Jemimah’s knock was a replay of similar grit, skill, and match-winning impact in a high-pressure chase.
Key Highlights:
Historic Semi-Final Innings: Against Australia, chasing a daunting 339 runs, Jemimah played with poise and aggression, anchoring the innings and steering India to the highest successful chase in Women's World Cup history.
Comparison With Kapil Dev: Dhumal highlighted the significance of the innings, emphasizing that Jemimah achieved what Kapil did decades ago—a performance that resurrected a struggling team and inspired a nation.
Journey of Grit: Jemimah’s tournament had a rocky start with inconsistent scores, including low runs and dropping out of the playing XI mid-tournament. Her comeback was remarkable and timely.
Support From the Captain: She found crucial support from captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s 89 and contributions from Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh.
National and Global Recognition: The innings has been praised extensively, capturing the hearts of cricket fans and changing perceptions around women's cricket.
Upcoming World Cup Final: Bolstered by such performances, the Indian women’s team is set to face South Africa in the final, aiming for their maiden World Cup win.
Dhumal’s praise underscores the profound impact of Jemimah’s innings, symbolizing a new era in Indian women’s cricket and a sporting moment cherished by millions.
Sources: NDTV Sports, ANI News, ESPN Cricinfo, The Tribune