Jemimah Rodrigues eyes back-to-back World Cups after ODI triumph, targets T20 glory
Synopsis
Jemimah Rodrigues has laid down a clear marker: after winning the ODI World Cup at home, India's women cricketers are eyeing a second global title at the T20 World Cup. The team has rejected the comfort of one triumph and is instead building a winning cycle, with preparation that began immediately after the ODI success and lessons drawn from a recent South Africa series defeat now shaping their tournament readiness.
Key Takeaways
Jemimah Rodrigues said the Indian women's team aims to win the Women's T20 World Cup after claiming the 2025 ODI World Cup on home soil.
The squad has rejected complacency and is preparing with renewed hunger, with head coach Amol Muzumdar signalling the shift in focus immediately after the ODI triumph.
India suffered a 4-1 series defeat to South Africa but Rodrigues framed it as a valuable learning opportunity.
India are grouped in Group 1 alongside Australia , South Africa , Bangladesh , Pakistan , and Netherlands .
The team will play three warm-up T20 Internationals in England before entering the tournament proper.
Jemimah Rodrigues on Sunday said the Indian women's cricket team is driven by fresh momentum to claim a maiden Women's T20 World Cup title, building on last year's 2025 ODI World Cup victory on home soil. Speaking at the IISM Degree Distribution Ceremony in Mumbai, the batter stressed that the squad has shed any post-championship complacency and is approaching the upcoming tournament with heightened hunger.
The motivation behind the push
"Since we have won one we want to make it two," Rodrigues said, emphasizing the team's determination to convert the ODI triumph into a second global trophy. She highlighted that the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side views the upcoming T20 World Cup not as a chance to rest on laurels but as an opportunity to establish a winning cycle. "After winning a World Cup you can get complacent but this team is even more hungrier to win it again and again and again," she added.
Preparation timeline and intensity
Contrary to conventional post-tournament rest cycles, Rodrigues revealed that preparation for the T20 World Cup began immediately following the 2025 ODI World Cup victory. The team's opening series against Sri Lanka marked the formal start of the new cycle, with head coach Amol Muzumdar signalling the shift in focus. "The first series we played against Sri Lanka after winning the 2025 ODI World Cup was when our preparation began. That day Amol sir also came and said 'This is where we start for the next World Cup,'" she explained. The squad is currently in camp at the BCCI Centre of Excellence before departing for England, where it will play three warm-up T20 Internationals ahead of the tournament proper.
Learning from recent setbacks
India recently suffered a 4-1 series defeat to South Africa, but Rodrigues framed the loss as a valuable learning opportunity rather than a setback. "It was a good learning. It gave us a realisation that failures teach you a lot more than winning everything," she said, noting that the team has adopted a constructive approach to the defeat. She expressed confidence that the lessons drawn will strengthen the squad's preparation heading into the World Cup.
Group stage challenge ahead
India are grouped in Group 1 of the Women's T20 World Cup alongside Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Netherlands. The fixture list presents a stern test, with multiple top-ranked sides in the same pool. However, Rodrigues signalled that the team's mindset has shifted from defending a single title to building a sustained winning culture across formats.
Broader impact on Indian sports
Beyond the immediate T20 World Cup objective, Rodrigues reflected on the inspirational effect of the ODI World Cup win. "It was very inspiring for us, and I think the future of sports in India is bright – not just in cricket but in all fields," she noted, underscoring how the victory has energised the broader sporting ecosystem in the country.
Point of View
The challenge is whether they can sustain that winning mentality across formats without the home advantage. The South Africa series loss, rather than denting morale, appears to have sharpened focus. If India can convert that into a T20 World Cup triumph in England, it signals a generational transition from occasional giant-slaying to consistent excellence.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Jemimah Rodrigues say about India's T20 World Cup ambitions?
Rodrigues said the Indian women's team is motivated to win the Women's T20 World Cup after claiming the 2025 ODI World Cup at home. She stated: "Since we have won one we want to make it two," emphasizing that the squad has rejected complacency and is preparing with heightened hunger.
When did India begin preparations for the T20 World Cup?
Preparations began immediately after the 2025 ODI World Cup victory, with the team's opening series against Sri Lanka marking the formal start of the new cycle. Head coach Amol Muzumdar signalled the shift in focus at that time.
How is India responding to the recent South Africa series loss?
India recently lost a 4-1 T20 series to South Africa, but Rodrigues framed the defeat as a valuable learning opportunity. She said failures teach more than winning everything and that the team is taking the loss in the right spirit to prepare for the World Cup.
Which teams are in India's T20 World Cup group?
India are in Group 1 of the Women's T20 World Cup alongside Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Netherlands.
What will India do before the T20 World Cup starts?
The Indian team is currently in camp at the BCCI Centre of Excellence and will travel to England to play three warm-up T20 Internationals before entering the T20 World Cup tournament proper.
