Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma Open Up About Beating Australia in the World Cup

Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma Open Up About Beating Australia in the World Cup
Image: Instagram/primevideoin

It’s been just over three weeks since India’s women’s cricket team created history, lifting their first-ever World Cup trophy under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur. The victory — sealed after a fierce semi-final against Australia and an emotional final against South Africa — sent the entire country into celebration mode.

Now, two stars of that unforgettable campaign, Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma, have opened up about the highs, the pressure, and the courage behind those massive wins.

On Kajol & Twinkle’s Couch

The two cricketers recently appeared on Two Much, the talk show hosted by Kajol and Twinkle Khanna, where their easy camaraderie and quick wit had the audience hooked.

Jemimah, who grew up playing both cricket and hockey in Mumbai, shared how she had once balanced school with double sports practice before choosing cricket. Shafali, meanwhile, recalled her early struggles in Rohtak — including dressing like a boy just to enter an academy that refused to train girls.

But it was one particular question that stole the spotlight.

Facing Australia: “Darr Nahi Lagta?”

Kajol asked what every fan has wondered at some point:

“You’re standing there with your bat, facing the seven-time world champions… darr nahi lagta?”

The Australian women’s cricket team is the most dominant side in the sport’s history. Their height, strength and consistency have intimidated teams for decades.

The question instantly brought laughter — and an even better reply.

“Ek Chauka Chakka Maar Do…”

Shafali grinned before delivering the most memorable line of the episode:

“Ek chauka chakka maar dete, unke shoulders apne aap gir jaate hain… yeh technique best rehti hai.”
(“If we hit a four or a six, their shoulders drop on their own. That’s the best technique.”)

Jemimah immediately backed her teammate with one of the night’s most talked-about quotes:

“Size pe mat jao, jigar pe jao.”
(“Don’t look at size, look at courage.”)

The hosts and crew broke into applause — and the clip has since started winning hearts online.

A Win That Meant More

Shafali and Jemimah also revisited the emotional context of facing Australia. In previous World Cups, India repeatedly fell short — often by agonising margins.

Australia never let us cross the line. But that day, we pushed them out of the line. We were very happy,” Shafali said, smiling.

Final Words

With their honesty, humour and fierce spirit, Jemimah and Shafali reminded everyone what made India’s World Cup win so special. It wasn’t just skill — it was heart, belief, and the refusal to be intimidated.

As the nation continues to celebrate, their words stand out as the perfect summary of India’s journey:
Courage over size. Fight over fear. And belief over everything else.

Anubhav

Anubhav Chauhan is a digital journalist, entertainment writer, and founder of Popcornrealm. Passionate about pop culture, films, and celebrity stories, he covers the latest updates from Bollywood, Hollywood, and the global entertainment industry like KPop. His articles aim to bring fast, factual, and engaging news to readers in a simple way. With years of experience in online media, Anubhav focuses on creating audience-centered stories that connect with everyday readers. His coverage includes movie reviews, K-pop trends, celebrity controversies, TV updates, and exclusive event reports. Anubhav’s goal is to make Popcornrealm a reliable hub for fans who want authentic, timely, and well-written entertainment news.