NEW DELHI: The Indian women’s cricket team finally ended their long wait for a world title, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in Navi Mumbai to lift their maiden World Cup trophy.

The night was one of celebration, but it also saw an unpleasant side of social media as young batter Jemimah Rodrigues faced trolling despite being one of India’s standout performers in the tournament.

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Jemimah’s standout performance in semis

Jemimah, who played a sensational unbeaten 127 in the semifinal against Australia, had credited her faith during the post-match presentation, thanking Jesus for strength and guidance.

Her words, though genuine, sparked mixed reactions online. The criticism grew louder after she scored 24 in the final, with some targeting her for her beliefs rather than her contribution.

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Shikha Pandey stands up for Jemimah Rodrigues

Former India cricketer Shikha Pandey, who shares the Delhi Capitals dressing room with Jemimah in the Women’s Premier League, stepped in to defend her teammate. Taking to social media, she wrote, “Just putting this out for anyone who needs to hear the obvious — yes, Jemi is God’s favorite child. And if you are jealous…sorry, no one can help you.”

The post quickly gained traction, with fans praising Pandey for calling out the trolls and showing solidarity. Despite the online noise, Jemimah’s all-round effort and spirit were instrumental in India’s journey to their historic World Cup triumph.