• Source:JND
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Cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues turned out to be the game-changer for India in their thrilling semifinal victory against Australia at the Women’s World Cup 2025 in Navi Mumbai on Thursday. After playing a match-winning innings, an emotional Jemimah opened up about her personal battle with anxiety. Her honesty and courage have struck a chord with fans across the nation, and actor Deepika Padukone, who has herself spoken openly about mental health, was among the first to applaud her for showing strength through vulnerability.

On Friday, Deepika Padukone took to Instagram Stories to show her support for Jemimah. The actor re-shared a video in which the cricketer spoke candidly about her struggles with anxiety and the emotional toll it took on her during the tournament. In the video, Jemimah expressed heartfelt gratitude to her friends, teammates, and family for standing by her through difficult times. Reposting the clip, Deepika wrote, “Thank you Jemimah Rodrigues, for your vulnerability and for sharing your story,” along with a folded hands emoji. The gesture was widely appreciated by fans, with many praising Deepika for always encouraging open conversations around mental well-being.

deepika padukone

Deepika Padukone's Instagram Story

Meanhwile, Jemimah, who was named Player of the Match for her unbeaten 127 off 134 balls, spoke openly after the match about how she had been struggling with anxiety earlier in the tournament. “I’ll be very vulnerable here because someone watching might be going through the same thing,” she said. She revealed that there were times she would call her mother and cry for hours, feeling lost and numb. The young cricketer credited her parents for their constant support and mentioned how teammates like Smriti Mandhana, Arundhati Reddy, and Radha Yadav helped her through the tough days. “They checked on me every day and stood by me when I couldn’t believe in myself,” she shared.

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On the other hand, Jemimah also reflected on the period when she was dropped from the team, admitting that it deeply affected her confidence. “When you’re not playing, doubts start to creep in. But my friends and family reminded me of who I am,” she said. Her emotional resilience paid off as she delivered one of the most memorable performances in Indian women’s cricket history. India chased down 339 runs with five wickets and nine balls to spare. The team will now face South Africa in the World Cup final on Sunday, November 2, with Jemimah’s bravery on and off the field inspiring millions.

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