Her Time In Mumbai: OMEGA Celebrates Jemimah Rodrigues And The Power Of Women
4 min read
Indian cricket star Jemimah Rodrigues took centre stage in Mumbai as Swiss watchmaker OMEGA hosted its “Her Time” gathering at The House of Rose - an evening celebrating the power, resilience and growing influence of women in sport. Coming at a moment when the Indian women’s cricket team continues to command global attention after its historic World Cup triumph, Rodrigues represented the spirit of a new generation of athletes: fearless, expressive and relentlessly driven.
In a candid fireside chat moderated by sports presenter Suhail Chandhok, the 23-year-old batter spoke about family, failure, pressure and the mindset required to succeed at the highest level of international sport. Interestingly, Rodrigues is neither an OMEGA ambassador nor a “Friend of the Brand”. Yet her journey, marked by resilience, discipline and belief, perfectly embodied the spirit of the evening.
The New Era of Indian Women’s Cricket
Over the past decade, Indian women’s cricket has undergone a transformation. Packed stadiums, record-breaking viewership and a generation of fearless players have reshaped the perception of the sport. Athletes such as Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur and Rodrigues represent a new era - confident, expressive and unapologetically ambitious. For Rodrigues, affectionately known as “Jemmy,” the journey has been deeply personal. And as she revealed during the fireside chat, it began with family.
The Dream That Began at Home
Rodrigues speaks about her parents with a warmth that instantly grounds the conversation. Her father once dreamt of playing cricket himself, but growing up in a middle-class household meant that dream never materialised. Instead, he made a promise to his children. “My dad loved cricket, but he had to give it up because he didn’t have the support or the money to pursue it,” Rodrigues said. “When he had kids, he decided he would do whatever it takes so we could live our dreams.” That promise came full circle when she made her debut for India. “When I played my first match for India, my dad had tears in his eyes. He never imagined his daughter would go out there and live the dream he couldn’t.” Her mother, she adds, provided the emotional anchor every athlete needs. “My parents always told me: whether you score a zero or a hundred, we love you the same. That gave me the confidence to try again.”
The Reality of Pressure
Success, however, arrives with scrutiny. Rodrigues entered international cricket as a teenager, bringing not just talent but an infectious personality that quickly made her a fan favourite. But fame has a way of shifting narratives. “When I started playing, people loved my personality,” she recalled. “But when I went through a rough patch, suddenly the same people said I wasn’t serious enough.” For a 17-year-old athlete, those criticisms were difficult to process. Over time, however, she learned a lesson that defines many great athletes. “If I keep trying to please people, I’ll never be happy. As long as my commitment to my team and my sport is one hundred percent, that’s enough.”
The Mindset of a Champion
Elite sport is less about talent than it is about mental discipline. Rodrigues describes the athlete’s mindset with striking clarity. “Whether you score a hundred or get out on zero, the next day you still have to wake up and do it all over again,” she said. “Cricket teaches you that every day is a reset.” The philosophy changed her career during a difficult phase when she was dropped from a World Cup squad. A coach offered advice that reshaped her thinking. “He told me: don’t focus on cementing your place in the team. That’s not in your control. Focus on how Jemimah can get one percent better every day.” The shift was transformative. “You can’t control the outcome,” she explained. “But you can control your effort, your training, your preparation.”
The Day Everything Changed
Every athlete remembers the moment when persistence finally meets opportunity. For Rodrigues, that moment came during a high-pressure World Cup campaign that tested her emotionally and mentally. There were nights filled with anxiety and doubt - moments she admits left her in tears. Yet those experiences ultimately strengthened her resolve. “Sometimes you don’t enjoy the grind,” she said. “But that one great day makes up for the nine difficult ones.” It is a sentiment that resonated strongly with the audience in Mumbai - a reminder that behind every highlight reel lies an untold story of resilience.
OMEGA : Her Time
As the evening drew to a close, the symbolism of the event’s title became unmistakably clear. “Her Time” was never simply about watches. It was about recognising the moment when preparation, courage and perseverance finally align. For OMEGA, celebrating such moments has long been part of its identity. From its historic role as the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games to its enduring partnerships with pioneering women across sport, cinema and culture, the brand has consistently championed those who redefine excellence in their fields. Events like Her Time reflect a broader philosophy, acknowledging that the future of achievement is increasingly being shaped by women who refuse to be limited by convention.
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