Jemimah Rodrigues fit again after three-month hamstring layoff, eyes South Africa tour
Synopsis
Jemimah Rodrigues's return to fitness arrives on the exact anniversary of her match-winning 127* that sent India into the ODI World Cup final — a detail that underlines just how much has changed in twelve months. A high-grade hamstring tear cost her three major tournaments; now a T20 Trophy stint for Mumbai could be all that stands between her and a full return to the Indian XI for the South Africa tour.
Key Takeaways
Jemimah Rodrigues declared fit on 30 October 2025 after three months of rehabilitation for a right hamstring tear.
The injury, sustained while playing for Southern Brave in the Women's Hundred , was confirmed as a high-grade tear by the BCCI Centre of Excellence .
She missed the Women's T20 Asia Cup , the Asian Games , and the home series against Zimbabwe during her layoff.
Rodrigues is expected to play for Mumbai in the Senior Women's T20 Trophy before selectors finalise the South Africa squad.
India's multi-format tour of South Africa begins with a Test at Gqeberha on 9 December , ending with T20Is at Potchefstroom on 29–30 December .
Her 127 not out in last year's World Cup semi-final remains the highest individual score by an Indian women's batter in an ODI chase .
India batter Jemimah Rodrigues on Friday, 30 October 2025 confirmed her recovery from a right hamstring injury that had sidelined her for three months, raising the prospect of her return to the national team for the multi-format tour of South Africa in December. The 26-year-old announced the news herself on Instagram, where she wrote: 'Life Update: HAMSTRING HAS BEEN DECLARED FIT!!!!!!!! After 3 months of rehab. Now I can't wait to get going.'
How the Injury Happened
Rodrigues tore her right hamstring while representing Southern Brave against Welsh Fire in the Women's Hundred in England earlier this year. Subsequent scans at the BCCI Centre of Excellence confirmed a high-grade tear — a diagnosis serious enough to rule her out of three major events: the Women's T20 Asia Cup in the UAE, the Asian Games in Japan, and India's home white-ball series against Zimbabwe.
Path Back to International Cricket
With no immediate franchise or international commitments on the horizon, Rodrigues is expected to feature for Mumbai in the ongoing Senior Women's T20 Trophy, giving national selectors a chance to assess her match fitness before they name the squad for the South Africa trip. The all-format tour is a demanding schedule that opens with a one-off Test at St George's Park, Gqeberha, from 9 December, followed by three ODIs — at Boland Park, Paarl on 16 December, Newlands, Cape Town on 19 December, and Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein on 22 December. Three T20Is then close the series at Willowmoore Park, Benoni on 26 December, and Senwes Park, Potchefstroom on 29 and 30 December.
A Poignant Anniversary
The timing of Rodrigues's fitness declaration carries a certain symmetry: it falls on the first anniversary of her match-winning 127 not out off 134 balls against Australia in the Women's ODI World Cup semi-final at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. That knock remains the highest individual score by an Indian women's batter in an ODI chase. India were chasing 339 that night and had lost both openers cheaply. Rodrigues and then-captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who made 89, forged a 167-run third-wicket partnership to haul the team back into the contest. India crossed the line with nine balls to spare, ending Australia's run of 15 consecutive wins at Women's ODI World Cups and going on to lift the trophy.
What the Return Means for India Women
Rodrigues's availability significantly strengthens India's middle-order options ahead of what is the team's most challenging overseas assignment of the cycle. Notably, she returns at a moment when India's women's programme is riding considerable momentum off the back of the World Cup triumph. Her ability to construct large innings under pressure — as demonstrated by her World Cup semi-final heroics — makes her a high-value selection across all three formats. How quickly she regains peak form in the T20 Trophy will be closely watched by the selection panel.
Point of View
But the South Africa tour, featuring a Test and six white-ball games, is a sterner test that exposes depth concerns. The selective panel will also need to decide how much T20 Trophy evidence they require before trusting her across all three formats. Given that her last major international innings was a 127* that won India a World Cup semi-final, the pressure to pick her early will be significant — but bringing a recently rehabilitated player into a high-intensity Test could be a gamble the management should weigh carefully.
NationPress
30 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What injury did Jemimah Rodrigues suffer?
Jemimah Rodrigues tore her right hamstring while playing for Southern Brave against Welsh Fire in the Women's Hundred in England. Scans at the BCCI Centre of Excellence confirmed a high-grade tear that ruled her out for three months.
Which tournaments did Jemimah Rodrigues miss due to the injury?
Rodrigues missed the Women's T20 Asia Cup in the UAE, the Asian Games in Japan, and India's home white-ball series against Zimbabwe. The high-grade tear kept her out of all cricket from the time of the injury until her rehabilitation was completed in late October 2025.
When is India's next tour and could Jemimah Rodrigues be selected?
India's multi-format tour of South Africa begins with a one-off Test at Gqeberha on 9 December 2025, followed by three ODIs and three T20Is through to 30 December. Rodrigues is now in contention for selection, subject to her form in the Senior Women's T20 Trophy for Mumbai.
What is the significance of Jemimah Rodrigues's 127 not out?
Her 127 not out off 134 balls in the Women's ODI World Cup semi-final against Australia at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, is the highest individual score by an Indian women's batter in an ODI chase. The innings, combined with Harmanpreet Kaur's 89, powered India to a nine-ball victory and ended Australia's 15-match winning streak at Women's ODI World Cups.
What will Jemimah Rodrigues do before the South Africa tour?
With no immediate international commitments, Rodrigues is expected to play for Mumbai in the ongoing Senior Women's T20 Trophy. National selectors are likely to monitor her performance there before finalising the squad for the South Africa tour.
