Follow UsFormer Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has made a heartwarming promise - he’ll perform a duet with Jemimah Rodrigues if India win the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup. Gavaskar also showered praise on the dynamic batter, who played a knock for the ages - an unbeaten 127 that powered India to a record chase of 339 in the semi-final against Australia.
The idea of a duet isn’t new. The two had previously shared the stage during the 2024 BCCI Awards, performing the iconic “Kya Hua Tera Wada” from Hum Kisise Kum Naheen. While Gavaskar lent his voice, Rodrigues strummed the guitar.
"All I can say, if India win the World Cup, she and I, if she is okay to do that, we will sing a song together. She will play the guitar and I will sing a song. We did that in the BCCI awards some time back," Gavaskar told India Today, as reported by Hindustan Times.
“There was a band who were playing there, so we decided to go and do something. We sang a song. She was on her guitar; she plays it very well. If India win, if she's happy to do that with an old man, I am up for it.”
Rodrigues’ performance in the semi-final was a masterclass in temperament and timing. Walking in as early as the second over after Shafali Verma’s quickfire 10, the right-hander from Mumbai combined flair with maturity. She first added 46 runs with Smriti Mandhana (24 off 24) and then forged a match-defining 167-run stand with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (89).
Rodrigues, who had been dropped against England earlier in the tournament, had already signalled her return to form with a brilliant 76 off 55 balls* in a must-win clash against New Zealand. Carrying that momentum forward, she anchored India’s historic chase, staying unbeaten till the end with nine balls to spare.
Gavaskar not only lauded Rodrigues’ batting brilliance but also highlighted her exceptional fielding. “She has got some experience. She has also played in overseas leagues. She has played in the Big Bash and the Hundred. She knows how to build the innings. She has the experience, and we all know, she has had the ability,” said Gavaskar.
“Please do not forget what she did in the field. She did two fantastic run-outs. While we are all going gaga about her innings with the bat, do not forget her contributions in the field. India could have been chasing 350, who knows.”
With the victory, India have stormed into the final, where they will face South Africa in Navi Mumbai on November 2 (Sunday) - a clash that promises to crown a first-time world champion.