Deepika Padukone sends love to Jemimah for her brave anxiety confession: "Thank you for your vulnerability"

Soon after India’s thrilling semifinal win over Australia at the Women’s World Cup 2025 in Navi Mumbai, Deepika Padukone took a moment to celebrate someone who wasn’t just a star on the field but a picture of courage off it. The actor shared Jemimah Rodrigues’ emotional post-match video on her Instagram Stories and thanked the cricketer for speaking openly about her anxiety. Deepika kept her message simple but full of warmth, writing, “Thank you Jemimah Rodrigues… for your vulnerability and for sharing your story.”

For readers who have followed Deepika’s long-standing advocacy for mental health, her support came as no surprise. She has been one of the most consistent voices in India when it comes to destigmatising anxiety and depression, ever since she spoke publicly about her own battle years ago.

Jemimah’s Honest, Tear-Filled Admission

Jemimah’s post-match interaction struck a rare chord. Still overwhelmed from her Player of the Match innings, she chose to speak not just about cricket but about everything she had been carrying quietly. She shared that she had been battling anxiety since the start of the tournament, often breaking down on calls with her mother and leaning heavily on her teammates for support.

She spoke about crying in front of Arundhati Reddy almost every day, how Smriti Mandhana would often stand beside her during net sessions without saying much, and how Radha Yadav looked out for her through the toughest moments. Jemimah also admitted that getting dropped earlier had shaken her confidence and added to the pressure. What helped her through, she said, was the unwavering presence of the people who refused to let her fight alone.

A Knock for the Ages

And then came the performance that changed the night. Jemimah’s unbeaten 127 off 134 balls powered India to a record chase of 339, the highest ever in women’s ODI history. Her calm presence at the crease, especially after the emotional burden she revealed later, only made the achievement feel more heroic. India sealed the win with five wickets in hand and now move into the final against South Africa.

Deepika’s shoutout felt like a moment of one woman recognising another’s resilience.It became a reminder that strength and vulnerability can sit side by side.