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Journalism of Courage
Rising cricket star Jemimah Rodrigues, who anchored India’s run chase against Australia in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 with an unbeaten 127 off 134 balls, opened up in the post-match presentation about battling anxiety during the tournament.
Visibly emotional during the presser, the 25-year-old batter said, “I will be very vulnerable here because someone who is watching this might be going through the same thing. Nobody likes to talk about their weaknesses. I was going through a lot of anxiety at the start of the tournament. It was a lot before a few games… I used to call my mum and cry the entire time, let it all out because when you go through anxiety, you feel numb.”
She added that the experience reminded her of the importance of support from loved ones. “During this time, my mom and dad supported me a lot. There was Smriti, who also helped me… she just knows whose presence is important for me. I am so blessed to have friends who I can call family, that I didn’t have to go through it alone. And it’s okay to ask for help. The other thing that happened with the anxiety thing was when I was dropped from the team — that really hit me. When they drop you, you have a lot of doubts because I always want to contribute to the team. But that day I couldn’t do much… so when you come back in, it’s a lot more pressure. But sometimes all you do is hang in there, and things fall into place.”
Jemimah’s admission of feeling anxious — and crying as a release — offers a rare and honest look into an athlete’s emotional world.
Dr Suyash V Shendye, consultant psychiatrist at Sir Ganga Ram City Hospital, Delhi, told indianexpress.com that crying can indeed act as “the body’s reset button.”
“It’s catharsis — a natural way to let pressure out when emotions build up. But anxiety isn’t just emotional; it’s physical too — fast heartbeat, shallow breathing, tightness in the chest. So while tears help release, they don’t always heal. Reconnecting with people helps the system truly settle,” he said.
“When someone listens without judgment, the brain feels safer. That sense of belonging actually lowers stress chemicals. You don’t need a crowd — one honest friend, a teammate, or even a counsellor can be enough. And if you’re alone, start with small steps — join a space where you can just be seen. Support heals silently,” reiterated Dr Shendye
As a person learns to heal with the support of family and friends, they also begin to restore their sense of self-worth.
“In high-pressure careers, it’s easy to feel, ‘If I fail, I’m not enough.’ But you’re more than your scoreboard. Learning to value effort over outcome builds emotional freedom. Reflect, slow down, and let mentors or friends remind you of your bigger story,” added Dr Shendye. And as Jemimah reminded herself and others, sometimes, “just hang in there — things will fall into place.”
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
