Every once in a while, sport gifts us a story that’s bigger than the game. Jemimah Rodrigues’ unbeaten 127 against Australia wasn’t just a match-winning knock on Thursday night — it was a masterclass in resilience. A year after headlines linked her to an unwanted controversy, she returned to command them on her own terms.
At the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, India were chasing 339 against the reigning world champions in the ICC Women’s World Cup semi-final. The pressure was immense, the air thick with humidity and almost every seat in the 35,000-capacity venue was taken. By the 10th over, Jemimah had already found her rhythm — gliding through covers, punching down the ground, running with intensity.
Allegations of religious conversion
Her performance marked a powerful turnaround for the Mumbai batter; not just on the field, but off it too. Last year, Rodrigues found herself dragged into a controversy after Mumbai’s Khar Gymkhana cancelled her honorary membership. The decision was taken reportedly after allegations that her father Ivan Rodrigues had organised unauthorised religious gatherings at the club which was a direct violation of the club’s by-laws.
The matter became public after members raised concerns at the Annual General Meeting in October 2024 and the management voted unanimously to revoke the membership. The move wasn’t a reflection of Jemimah’s conduct but the headlines that followed briefly cast a shadow over her family and career.
An Indian Express report from last year quoted Khar Gymkhana officials saying that the action was taken after some members objected to her father Ivan using the club premises for “religious activities” and alleged that events were organised to “convert” the “vulnerable”.
“We came to know that Jemimah Rodrigues’s father was attached to an organisation called Brother Manuel Ministries. They booked the presidential hall for almost a year and a half and held 35 events. We all know what was happening there… We hear about conversions all over the country, but it’s happening right under our nose. There was dancing, expensive music equipment, big screens. As per Khar Gymkhana’s bye-laws Rule 4A of the constitution, Khar Gymkhana does not permit any religious activity,” Khar Gymkhana managing committee member Shiv Malhotra told The Indian Express.
Ivan posted clarification on the matter
Soon after the allegations surfaced, Ivan Rodrigues posted a clarification on his social media account. “In light of the recent and erroneous reports doing the rounds in the media, we would like to put on record a few facts. We had availed of the facilities at the Khar Gymkhana for the purpose of prayer meetings on multiple occasions, over a period of a year since April 2023. However, this was done in complete accordance with the procedures that Khar Gymkhana have in place, and in full knowledge of the office bearers. The prayer meetings were open to all and were in no way ‘conversion meetings’ as is wrongly labelled in articles in the media,” Ivan posted in a note October last year.
He further added, “When we were told to stop conducting the prayer meetings, we respected the stance of the Gymkhana and did so with immediate effect. When informed about the difference in rates for members and guests, we readily cleared the arrears. We are honest, law-abiding people who are grateful that we can practise our faith without it being a cause of inconvenience to anyone else. To then be the subject of false claims and misinformation is disheartening. We have and continue to wish only the best for everyone.”