WATCH: Beth Mooney comes up with witty reply to Jemimah Rodrigues' World Cup semi-final joke

Australian cricketer Beth Mooney recently gave a witty reply to India’s Jemimah Rodrigues during the Perth Scorchers’ Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2025 opener against the Sydney Sixers. The funny exchange came days after Rodrigues jokingly wondered whether she would be allowed into Australia following her heroics in the ICC Women’s World Cup semi-final, where her match-winning innings had knocked out the seven-time world champions.

The banter between Mooney and Rodrigues came just weeks after India’s historic triumph at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025. Rodrigues’ unbeaten 127 in the semi-final had guided the hosts to a record chase of 339 runs against Australia, with a crucial 167-run stand alongside skipper Harmanpreet Kaur. India went on to beat South Africa in the final at Navi Mumbai, lifting their maiden Women’s World Cup title. 

Ahead of Brisbane Heat’s clash against Melbourne Renegades, Rodrigues jokingly remarked that she was unsure whether she’d even be allowed to enter Australia after eliminating them from the World Cup. Mooney, playing for the Perth Scorchers, later gave a gunny reply.

"We heard Jemi say earlier that she was worried they weren’t going to let her in the country because they beat us, but I actually thought they weren’t going to let us back in for losing. Thankfully, immigration let me in,” Mooney said

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The crowd and commentators burst into laughter, appreciating Mooney’s wit and sportsmanship. Meanwhile, both Rodrigues and Mooney endured poor starts to their WBBL 2025 campaigns. Jemimah managed only six runs off nine balls in Brisbane Heat’s seven-wicket loss to Melbourne Renegades. Her dismissal of Alice Capsey at the backward point ended a short-lived stay. On the other hand, Mooney’s Perth Scorchers suffered a 10-wicket defeat against the Sixers, with the Australian opener failing to make an impact in her comeback match.