World Cup champions Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues joined Kajol and Twinkle Khanna on a special episode of Two Much with Kajol and Twinkle, sharing candid moments from their journeys. The conversation mixed humour, emotion and inspiration — a celebration of India’s rising women’s cricket story.
Dreams, the final wicket and a historic win
Fresh from India’s historic World Cup triumph after 52 years, Jemimah summed up the moment: “It’s a dream, not just for us, but for every Indian. We are happy we could do it, and this World Cup is also for the generation before us who set the foundation so that we could play cricket today. So I think this is everyone’s cup.”
Recalling the last moments of the final, she said, “When we took the last wicket and won, we all ran towards Harry Di, who took the final catch. It didn’t sink in. It still feels like a dream because we’ve imagined this our entire lives.”
Surprising beginnings: hockey, hidden identities and boy-cut hair
Jemimah revealed she nearly took a different sporting route. She once played hockey after moving from Bhandup to Bandra and was even selected at state level, but cricket had taken her further. “I still dream of playing both for India,” she said.
Shafali shared an almost filmi origin story: when her brother fell sick, she stepped in wearing his jersey marked “Sahil,” cut her hair short and ended up winning Player of the Series at 11. Small moments, big turns.
Growing up tough and finding confidence
Jemimah remembered being the only girl among 400 boys at a club. Teasing and silence didn’t stop her — holding a bat or ball gave her confidence and steeled her game. Their stories highlight how determination and grit shaped their rise.
Bollywood beats and movie motivation
Shafali admitted she watches Dangal when she needs a boost: “I’m from Haryana, and many things in the movie reflect my life. It pumps me up every time.” Jemimah explained why she’s nicknamed Team DJ — a love for feel-good Bollywood tracks that bring the squad together. Punjabi songs, she says, are the team’s go-to for on-field celebrations and dance.
About the episode
The special was produced and conceptualised by Banijay Asia and is presented by Oppo, with Kohler, Kalyan Jewellers and Fevi Kwik as co-presenters. The episode is now streaming on Prime Video across more than 240 countries and territories.
Between nostalgia, laughter and competitive spirit, the chat was a reminder of how far women’s cricket in India has come — and how much more inspiring story-telling is yet to come.
