Jemimah Rodrigues eyes Champions Trophy glory after World Cup win
Synopsis
Winning the World Cup hasn't dulled India's edge — if anything, Jemimah Rodrigues says it has made the squad more driven. With the inaugural Women's Champions Trophy on the horizon and a seven-match South Africa tour in December as the warm-up act, India's experienced batter is chasing a second major title in quick succession.
Key Takeaways
Jemimah Rodrigues says India's maiden ICC Women's World Cup win has increased the team's desire for more silverware.
India will compete in the inaugural ICC Women's Champions Trophy , the first such edition in women's cricket.
A seven-match tour of South Africa begins with a one-off Test in Gqeberha from 9 December , followed by three ODIs (from 16 December ) and three T20Is (from 26 December ).
Rodrigues scored 143 runs in six matches for Southern Brave in The Hundred 2026 , winning two Player of the Match awards before a hamstring injury ended her stint early.
South Africa were the opponents India beat to win the Women's World Cup , adding extra context to the upcoming series.
Jemimah Rodrigues says India's maiden ICC Women's Cricket World Cup title has sharpened rather than satisfied the team's appetite for silverware, with the experienced batter now firmly focused on the inaugural ICC Women's Champions Trophy. Speaking on Jio Star, Rodrigues made clear that winning has only made the squad hungrier.
Hunger Only Grows After World Cup Glory
'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,' Rodrigues said. She described the Women's Champions Trophy — a first-ever edition in women's cricket — as 'very special,' adding that competing in it for the first time personally adds to the occasion.
'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,' she added, signalling that the World Cup triumph has not altered the side's collective focus.
South Africa Tour Stands Between India and the Champions Trophy
Before the Champions Trophy campaign begins, India face a demanding multi-format tour of South Africa in December. The seven-match assignment opens with a one-off Test in Gqeberha from 9 December, followed by a three-match ODI series from 16 December and three T20Is from 26 December.
Notably, South Africa were the opponents India defeated to clinch their maiden World Cup title, lending an extra edge to the upcoming contest. 'Both teams have been doing really well. We've had a lot of rivalry lately and played a lot of matches against South Africa. It's going to be a great challenge,' Rodrigues said.
Rodrigues Returns from The Hundred with Two Player of the Match Awards
Rodrigues arrived at this juncture fresh from a productive — if injury-shortened — stint with Southern Brave in The Hundred 2026. She scored 143 runs in six matches, helping the side reach the playoffs and earning two Player of the Match awards along the way. A hamstring injury, however, cut her campaign short before its conclusion.
The form she showed in The Hundred will be encouraging for India's coaching staff ahead of a packed international schedule. With the South Africa tour and the Champions Trophy on the horizon, Rodrigues appears to be building toward the most consequential stretch of her career.
Point of View
However, is not just preparation — it is a credibility test against the team India beat in the final, on their home turf. How India handle that pressure will say more about their readiness than any training camp. The hamstring concern around Rodrigues also bears watching; she is too central to India's middle-order fluency to lose again at a critical juncture.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the inaugural ICC Women's Champions Trophy?
The ICC Women's Champions Trophy is a new multi-team ODI tournament being held for the first time in women's cricket. India, as reigning Women's World Cup champions, are among the competing sides, and Jemimah Rodrigues has described it as 'very special' given its historic first-edition status.
When does India's tour of South Africa begin?
India's multi-format tour of South Africa begins on 9 December with a one-off Test in Gqeberha. It is followed by three ODIs from 16 December and three T20Is from 26 December, making it a seven-match assignment in total.
How did Jemimah Rodrigues perform in The Hundred 2026?
Rodrigues scored 143 runs in six matches for Southern Brave in The Hundred 2026, earning two Player of the Match awards and helping the team reach the playoffs. A hamstring injury ended her participation before the tournament concluded.
Why is the South Africa series significant for India women's cricket?
South Africa were the opponents India defeated to claim their maiden ICC Women's World Cup title, making the upcoming tour a high-stakes rematch. Rodrigues has acknowledged the strong rivalry between the two sides and called it 'a great challenge.'
What did Jemimah Rodrigues say about India's mindset after the World Cup?
Rodrigues said winning the World Cup has only increased the team's hunger, stating 'the more you taste it, the more you want to be there.' She also emphasised that the team's core mindset — focused on collective winning — has not changed despite the title.
