• Jemimah Rodrgues shone with the bat after scoring a spectacular ton against South Africa.

  • South Africa skipper Chloe Tryon won the toss and opted to field first.

Fans go gaga as Jemimah Rodrigues stands tall with a century against South Africa in Women’s ODI Tri-series 2025
Fans go gaga as Jemimah Rodrigues stands tall with a century (Image source: X)

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The R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo witnessed a cricketing spectacle as India took on South Africa in the crucial fifth match of the Women’s ODI Tri-Series on May 7, 2025. With South Africa opting to field first in a must-win encounter, the stage was set for a high-stakes battle. India, eager to bounce back after a recent loss to Sri Lanka, needed a strong batting display to secure their place in the final, and it was Jemimah Rodrigues who rose to the occasion, scripting a memorable century that sent fans into a frenzy.

Jemimah’s Rodrigues blistering century against South Africa

After a shaky start that saw India lose three wickets in the powerplay for just 18 runs, the pressure was firmly on the batters. Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur departed early, leaving the scoreboard at a precarious 50/3 by the end of the seventh over. Smriti Mandhana, steady as ever, partnered with Rodrigues to steady the innings, but when Mandhana fell for a well-made 51, the onus was on Rodrigues to anchor the side.

Rodrigues responded with a blend of composure and flair, reaching her half-century off just 40 balls and then accelerating effortlessly. Her shot selection was impeccable, finding gaps with precision and dispatching loose deliveries to the boundary. Rodrigues brought up her century in just 89 balls, studded with 12 fours and a six, drawing loud cheers from the crowd and her teammates alike. Even as she battled some discomfort in her hamstring, Rodrigues showed remarkable grit, refusing to let up on her focus or aggression.

Her partnership with Deepti Sharma proved pivotal, with the duo adding over a hundred runs for the fifth wicket. While Deepti rotated the strike and found timely boundaries, Rodrigues continued to dominate, eventually falling to Masabata Klaas on 123 off 101 balls. Her innings not only rescued India from a tricky position but also put them in command of the contest.

India eye a mammoth total as momentum shifts

Rodrigues’ century shifted the momentum firmly in India’s favor. From a tentative 50/3, the Women in Blue surged to 260/5 in just 42.4 overs, with plenty of firepower still to come. Deepti’s composed 50* off 62 balls complemented Rodrigues perfectly, and the duo’s partnership frustrated the South African bowlers, who struggled to break through despite multiple bowling changes.

The match flow highlighted India’s intent after the early setbacks, they rebuilt steadily, crossed 100 in the 17th over, and then accelerated through the middle overs. By the 35th over, India had crossed 200, and Rodrigues’ milestone ensured the run rate never dipped. With seven overs still left and wickets in hand, India looked set to post a total well beyond 300, putting immense pressure on a South African side missing their regular captain and already under the pump in the series. As Rodrigues walked off to a standing ovation at the end of her innings, fans both at the ground and online erupted in celebration.

Also WATCH: Deepti Sharma hits the bullseye to run-out Hasini Perera in Women’s ODI tri-series – SL vs IND

Here’s how fans reacted:

Also READ: Most ODI matches for Indian Women’s team ft. Smriti Mandhana

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

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About the Author:
AKASH THAPA
Akash Thapa is a dedicated cricket journalist with three years of experience in the media industry. A BA (JMC) graduate from VIPS, GGSIPU, and a postgraduate in MAJMC from the University of Lucknow, Akash combines his academic credentials with a deep-rooted passion for cricket.His background as a former junior-level wrestler and cricketer enriches his insightful analysis and commentary on the game. Known for his inventive approach to writing and his commitment to capturing the nuances of cricket, Akash is a true aficionado of the sport.Connect with Akash on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.