Since Harleen Deol’s return, star batter Jemimah Rodrigues has had a change in her batting position. But it has greatly aided the former’s cause, as she now has her second century in One-Day Internationals, which she achieved on Wednesday, May 07, in the Women’s Tri-Nation ODI Series 2025 match against South Africa Women at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on a cloudy morning.
The Mumbai native surpassed the milestone in just 89 balls, and the Indian team needed her knock badly because they had already lost captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen, and Pratika Rawal, three of their best hitters, by the seventh over. The innings was then stabilised by Jemimah’s arrival and partnership with vice-captain Smriti Mandhana.
Following an 88-run partnership with Jemimah, Smriti was caught at deep mid-wicket by the Proteas captain. However, the Indian team really benefited by her knock, since the star opener left the game soon after reaching her 31st half-century. Considering the pressure the Women in Blue were under early in the game, Smriti’s knock, which included six boundaries, came at a healthy strike-rate.
Jemimah Rodrigues, however, found an even better partner in Deepti Sharma, thus her confidence was unaffected by Smriti’s wicket.
Jemimah put India out of trouble and put them in control of the game with 123 off just 101 balls, hitting 15 boundaries and a single maximum, which was also the first of the Indian innings. Before Masabata Klaas ended her time at the crease with an easy catch at point in the 43rd over, she stitched a 122-run partnership with Deepti.
𝙃𝙐𝙉𝘿𝙍𝙀𝘿! 💯
Jemimah Rodrigues notches her Second ODI Century! 🙌
A sublime knock this from the #TeamIndia batter 👏👏
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/V5htnun1j2#WomensTriNationSeries2025 | #INDvSA | @JemiRodrigues pic.twitter.com/qhZhGTMuib
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) May 7, 2025
Deepti took charge of her own destiny to lead her team to victory after playing second fiddle to Jemimah during their alliance. After smashing a spectacular 93 off only 84 deliveries, which included 10 fours and a couple of massive sixes, the Bengal all-rounder quickly drew herself near to the three-figure mark. However, she gave up a straightforward catch to Tryon off Nadine de Klerk’s sixth delivery of the final over. The team captained by Harmanpreet Kaur reached 337 for the loss of nine wickets at the end of the innings thanks to their outstanding batting performance.
To win the match, the South Africans now need to score 338. At the same time, India will advance to the finals and face the hosts, Sri Lanka, in the final match on Sunday, May 11, assuming they can protect the total.
