Indian men’s T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav has taken inspiration from the women’s team’s batting star, Jemimah Rodrigues, saying the Men in Blue have looked to replicate her temperament in big, high-pressure games. Suryakumar, who belongs to the same state as Jemimah, Mumbai, called her a ‘Chhota packet, bada dhamaka
’ (small in size, but big in impact), adding that he has always enjoyed her batting.India women are currently involved in a three-ODI series against world-beaters Australia at home as their final preparation for the 2025 ODI World Cup, which begins on September 30. A middle-order batter, Jemimah, remains a crucial cog of the team for the tournament. The 25-year-old doesn’t have the arm strength to clear ropes at will in every game,
but is considered among the most intelligent for the needs of the ODI format.
“I think we also get to learn a lot from her,” Suryakumar said, peaking on JioHotstar show Champions Wali Baat: Believe in Blue. “During big, pressure games, she has delivered, something we all want to adapt and replicate. For Jemi, the best thing about her is, ‘Chhota packet, bada dhamaka’. She just needs to continue doing what she’s been doing, and I really enjoy watching her play.”
India lost the first match against Australia by a big margin of eight wickets but turned it around in the second, winning by 102 runs. Jemimah played the first one, scoring 18 (26), but missed the second due to illness.
“It’s always good to see someone from your home city who has played so many local games, represent the state, and then gone on to play for India,” Suryakumar said. “Not just in World Cups, but also in bilateral series. Jemimah has always been a great performer. Playing the World Cup is a huge opportunity, and I’m sure she will deliver because she’s a great teammate, always helping everyone around. As we all have seen, she brings amazing energy to the ground as well,” he added.
Suryakumar himself never made it in ODIs but is currently leading the T20I side in the 2025 Asia Cup in the UAE.
