The more you taste it, the more you want to be there: Jemimah Rodrigues aims to win inaugural Champions Trophy

Jemimah Rodrigues has set her sights on the inaugural Women's Champions Trophy, scheduled for February 14-28, 2027, in Sri Lanka. This ambition comes after India claimed their first Women's ODI World Cup title in November 2025, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the final at Navi Mumbai. Rodrigues herself played a crucial role in that triumph, scoring an unbeaten 127 against Australia in the semi-final.

Rodrigues reflected on India's recent success and her desire to add another major trophy to the cabinet. She emphasised how tasting victory at the highest level shapes the team's outlook and hunger for future tournaments.

"We’ve tasted success once, and we know what it feels like to be at the top. The more you taste it, the more you want to be there. So, I think our team is working towards that, and yes, the Champions Trophy is going to be very special," Rodrigues said while speaking on the JioHotstar series 'Follow the Blues'.

The inaugural tournament holds special significance for Rodrigues

The right-handed batter highlighted the unique nature of the inaugural tournament and her personal excitement about being part of women's cricket history. She stressed that the team's focus remains on collective success regardless of the competition format or occasion.

"It’s happening for the first time ever in women’s cricket, and I’ll be a part of it for the first time as well, so it’ll be pretty special, and I’m really looking forward to it. I think mindset-wise, nothing changes. At the end of the day, it’s about the team and how to make the team win, and that always stays," Rodrigues said.

Managing injury while eyeing major tournaments

Rodrigues' immediate priority, however, is recovering from a hamstring injury sustained while playing for Southern Brave in The Hundred. She was sidelined from the remainder of the tournament after the injury occurred. During her six innings in the competition, she accumulated 143 runs at an average of 35.75 with a strike rate of 131.19. Australia's Charli Knott was brought in as her replacement.

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Her availability for the Women's T20 Asia Cup, which begins August 28, with India facing Thailand on August 30, remains uncertain due to the hamstring injury. The recovery timeline will be crucial in determining her participation in both the Asia Cup and the Champions Trophy later in the year.