Jemimah Rodrigues brings up second ODI century, helps India topple Proteas in Colombo

Ace batter Jemimah Rodrigues has had a change in her batting position since the comeback of Harleen Deol. However, that has helped the former's cause massively, as she now has brought up her second century in One-Day Internationals, which came against South Africa Women in the Women's Tri-Nation ODI Series 2025 clash on Wednesday, May 07 on an overcast morning at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

The Mumbai-born batter reached the landmark off just 89 balls, and her knock was need-of-the-hour for the Indian side, since they had lost in-form batters - Pratika Rawal, Harleen and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur by the seventh over itself. From there, Jemimah came in and partnered alongside vice-captain Smriti Mandhana to stabilize the innings.

Smriti, who was involved in an 88-run stand with Jemimah, fell prey to the Proteas skipper, who got her caught at deep mid-wicket. Her knock, though, was of utmost help for the Indian side, as the ace opener departed shortly after getting to her 31st half-century in the format. Smriti's innings was composed of six boundaries and came at a healthy strike-rate considering the kind of pressure the Women in Blue were in early in the innings.

Smriti's wicket, though, did not dent the confidence of Jemimah, as she found an even better partner in Deepti Sharma. Hitting a total of 15 boundaries and a solitary maximum, also the first of the Indian innings, Jemimah amassed 123 off just 101 balls to pull India out from the spot of bother and also get them in the driver's seat. She stitched a 122-run partnership with Deepti, before her stay at the crease was cut short by Masabata Klaas, where Sune Luus took an easy catch at point in the 43rd over.

BCCI Women@BCCIWomen

𝙃𝙐𝙉𝘿𝙍𝙀𝘿! 💯 Jemimah Rodrigues notches her Second ODI Century! 🙌 A sublime knock this from the #TeamIndia batter 👏👏 Updates ▶️ bit.ly/INDWvSAW-Tri_S… #WomensTriNationSeries2025 | #INDvSA | @JemiRodrigues

12:56 PM · May 07, 2025

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After acting as the second fiddle to Jemimah during their partnership, Deepti took the steering in her own hands to drive her side to a strong total. In no time, the Bengal all-rounder got herself close to the three-figure mark, but shelled out a simple catch to Tryon off Nadine de Klerk's fifth ball of the last over, but not before she smashed a brilliant 93 off just 84 deliveries, laced with 10 fours and a couple of huge sixes. With the help of brilliant batting shown by the unit, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side made 337 for the loss of nine wickets at the end of the innings.

The South Africans now need 338 to win the clash. Meanwhile, if India are able to defend the total, they will go through to the finals, and play hosts Sri Lanka in the ultimate clash at the same venue on Sunday, May 11.