The Kind of Success That Doesn’t Fade: My Person of the Year
Sometimes, a moment in sport goes beyond victory, beyond medals, beyond scoreboards.
Sometimes, an athlete reminds us that greatness isn’t just about how you play, but who you choose to be when no one’s watching.
This is one of those stories.
A Team No One Expected to Win
Until a few weeks ago, most Indians — myself included — couldn’t name more than two or three players from the Indian Women’s Cricket Team. And then the World Cup happened.
They fought. They believed. They created history.
Suddenly, millions of us watched — not out of courtesy, but out of awe. And overnight, they weren’t “the women’s team” anymore. They were simply Team India.
The Two Who Changed the Game
Among the many remarkable performances, two names stood out:
Shafali Verma
Jemimah Rodrigues
Shafali wasn’t even guaranteed a spot. She was called in only after an injury opened an unexpected door, and she walked straight through it with fearless intent. In the final against South Africa, she didn’t just play; she owned the moment. She swung freely, with the audacity of someone who didn’t come to participate… she came to belong.
Her story is a lesson in readiness: When life calls unexpectedly, be ready to say yes. And what a resounding yes it was! A feat that earned her Player of the Match honours in the World Cup final.
The second performer — who was declared both the Player of the Match and the Best Fielder in the World Cup semi-final — taught me, and perhaps all of us, a different kind of greatness.
A Different Breed of Champion
Jemimah Rodrigues (a.k.a Jemi) didn’t just win matches. She won hearts.
A young woman with a petite frame and a giant spirit — she played what was perhaps the innings of the tournament: 127 runs in the semi-final against Australia, the seven-time world champions.
Let’s pause here and process this.
Not just scoring a century. Not just under pressure. Not just against the best team in the world. But doing all of that — and then choosing not to celebrate the significant achievement. Because, as she later explained: “The job wasn’t done yet.”
How many of us would’ve held back?
We celebrate early, get ahead of ourselves and treat milestones as finish lines.
Jemi reminded us that real achievement isn’t about reaching a moment. It’s about completing the mission.
What Makes Her Different?
Her brilliance wasn’t just on the field — it was also in her reactions off it. When awarded Player of the Match, the audience expected the usual swagger, clichés and predictable lines.
Jemi showed her vulnerability, quoted scripture and credited God. And most importantly — she meant every word. This wasn’t media training. This was true character.
A Decision Few Would Make
If that wasn’t enough, what Jemi did thereafter was unprecedented.
She had flown back to India in the middle of the coveted Women’s Big Bash League to attend her friend and teammate Smriti Mandhana’s wedding. Instead of flying back to Australia for the remainder of the WBBL season — something most athletes would never dream of skipping — she stayed back.
Why?
Because Smriti was going through a personal crisis after her father suffered a heart attack and her wedding was postponed… and much later called off.
How many sporting headlines have you seen where the story is: “Player chooses loyalty over career advancement”?
It’s rare. Almost unheard of.
Why Stories Like Hers Matter
Jemi — all heart and honesty — has shown that strength doesn’t need to be loud, kindness can be fierce, and vulnerability is not weakness. On the contrary, it’s courage in its purest form.
We often tell boys to “man up” and girls to “stay strong.” But maybe the world needs a new script: Be human. Be honest. Be real, even when the world expects otherwise.
As 2025 draws to a close, Jemimah Rodrigues — someone who shifted conversations, moved hearts, and changed the game — is my Person of the Year.
Not just because she played an unforgettable innings. But because she reminded us what true greatness looks like: grounded, grateful, generous, and genuine.
And that kind of success doesn’t fade when the match ends.
It echoes.
About Me
I am a thinker at all times. I see, I think. I hear, I think. I read, I think. Every weekend I write. I would love to know what you think.
Sir I always 🥰🥰Love Your ✍️✍️ I Always Dream Daughter 1st 🙏 Because In My Family Sister Also.
Regards
Rahul Malhotra