Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 10 (ANI): Indian cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues said India's 2025 ODI Women's World Cup triumph has strengthened the team's hunger for success ahead of the inaugural ICC Women's Champions Trophy in 2027. She called the tournament a special milestone for women's cricket while stressing that the team's focus will remain on winning together.

Speaking on JioHotstar's 'Follow the Blues', Rodrigues said India's recent success, winning the 2025 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, has fuelled the team's desire to stay at the top. She described the inaugural ICC Women's Champions Trophy in 2027 as a special occasion and emphasised that the team's focus will remain on playing together and securing victories.

'We've tasted success once, and we know what it feels like to be at the top. The more you taste it, the more you want to be there. So, I think our team is working towards that, and yes, the Champions Trophy is going to be very special. It's happening for the first time ever in women's cricket, and I'll be a part of it for the first time as well, so it'll be pretty special, and I'm really looking forward to it. I think mindset-wise, nothing changes. At the end of the day, it's about the team and how to make the team win, and that always stays,' she said.

The Champions Trophy event that is slated to be played in February 2027.

Notably, ahead of the Champions Trophy, the Women in Blue will play a total of seven fixtures in South Africa in December, consisting of a one-off Test in Gqeberha from December 9, a three-match ODI series from December 16 and the trio of T20Is from December 26.

Rodrigues described India's upcoming multi-format tour of South Africa as an exciting challenge, noting the strong form of both teams and their recent rivalry. She said facing one of the world's top sides in South Africa will be a great test for Team India.

'It's going to be a really exciting series for sure. Both teams have been doing really well. We've had a lot of rivalry lately and played a lot of matches against South Africa. I think it's going to be great, with two of the top teams in the world facing each other in South Africa. It's going to be a great challenge, and we're really looking forward to it.'

Recently, Rodrigues' stint in The Hundred 2026 was cut short due to a hamstring injury, but she played an important role in helping Southern Brave qualify for the playoffs, with two Player of the Match performances.

Rodrigues joined Southern Brave as a direct signing for Pound 60,000 (approximately US$80,000). (ANI)