During their World Cup winning campaign, it was India’s semi-final win over seven-time champions and defending champions Australia in the tournament, which set the tone for the Harmanpreet Kaur led Indian team’s win over South Africa in the final last Sunday. With Australia facing their second defeat in a knock out in an WODI World Cup since the semi-final loss against India in 2017 World Cup, it meant that the defending champions were knocked out of the tournament. Indian star Jemimah Rodrigues, who played a sublime knock of 127 runs in the semi-finals against Australia, has shared how Australian star all-rounder Annabel Sutherland texted her post the semi-final win and lauded her efforts.
“After the game, it was heartbreaking for them to lose a semi-final. I know how much it means to Bellsy (Annabel) and how much she loves her cricket, even though she doesn’t always show it. She messaged me saying, ‘The character you’ve shown throughout this tournament has been outstanding. You totally deserve to own that moment tonight.’ I looked at that message and thought, what a person! They had just suffered the most heartbreaking loss, yet she still reached out to a friend to encourage me, even though we were opponents at that moment. I have mad respect for her,” Rodrigues said in a video posted by WPL side Delhi Capitals.
Jemi reveals Belsy’s message to her after the World Cup semifinal…🥹
…And it shows why this team is a family 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/kxyXcQqz27
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) November 7, 2025
With 19 wickets in seven matches in the tournament apart from scoring a total of 117 runs, Sutherland was among the Aussie players in prime form in the World Cup. The 22-year-old all-rounder had taken a five-wicket haul during Australia’s win over India earlier in the tournament and had also played an unbeaten knock against England during the team’s win earlier in the tournament. The Aussie star was among the five players along with Rodrigues, Indian opener Shafali Verma, South African all-rounder Marianne Kapp and Indian player Niki Prasad, who were retained by Delhi Capitals for the next edition of WPL before the mega auction. Sutherland, who first played in WPL in 2023, has scored a total of 150 runs and claimed 13 wickets in WPL so far in her career. Rodrigues shared her thoughts on sharing the dressing room with Sutherland once again. “She’s going to do special things for Australia, which is scary for us, but also for DC. I’m so glad we’ll share the dressing room again,” added Rodrigues.
Sutherland has so far six Women Tests, 49 WODIs and 45 Wt20Is for Australia so far in her career and is also currently the number one bowler in ICC rankings. The all-rounder is placed at the 20th spot in ICC rankings for all-rounders. Rodrigues rated the Aussie star in the top three all-rounders in women’s cricket. “Sutherland’s a superstar. Right now, I’d rate her among the top three all-rounders in women’s cricket — maybe even the best. I don’t know if she’d want me to say this, but she truly sets an example.” said Rodrigues.
