The Hundred 2026: Jemimah Rodrigues Stars as Southern Brave Edge MI London in One-Run Thriller

India's Jemimah Rodrigues played a pivotal role in one of the closest finishes of The Hundred 2026, producing a brisk innings of 32 off 22 balls to guide Southern Brave to a thrilling one-run victory over MI London in Southampton on Monday.

The stylish right-hander was named Player of the Match after helping Southern Brave post a competitive 126/7, before the bowlers held their nerve to deny MI London in a tense chase that went right down to the final deliveries.

Although the contest featured several standout performances with both bat and ball, it was Jemimah's timely contribution in the middle overs that ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides.

After being asked to bat first, Southern Brave needed stability following the early exchanges against an experienced MI London bowling attack led by Hayley Matthews and Amelia Kerr. Jemimah walked in at number four and quickly settled into a crucial partnership with South African opener Laura Wolvaardt. The pair began cautiously, respecting the quality of Matthews and Kerr while assessing the conditions on what proved to be a challenging batting surface.

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Rather than forcing the pace early, both batters focused on rotating the strike and ensuring the scoreboard continued to move. Once she found her rhythm, Jemimah began to showcase the strokeplay that has made her one of India's most reliable white-ball batters. Her trademark sweep shots repeatedly found the gaps, while quick footwork allowed her to pierce the infield and keep the pressure on the bowlers.

The momentum steadily shifted in Southern Brave's favour.

Jemimah's innings may have lasted only 22 deliveries, but its impact on the match was enormous. Her aggressive yet controlled approach complemented Wolvaardt perfectly as the duo guided Southern Brave to 104/2, placing the team in an excellent position to launch a strong finish. At that stage, a total well beyond 130 looked within reach. However, Matthews struck an important blow by dismissing Jemimah, ending the partnership just as it threatened to take complete control of the contest.

The wicket triggered a dramatic collapse. Southern Brave lost their momentum almost immediately, managing only 22 more runs while losing five wickets in the closing stages of the innings. Instead of finishing with a commanding total, they were restricted to 126/7, leaving the bowlers with plenty of work to do. Looking back at the match, Jemimah's contribution became even more valuable, with every run proving decisive in the final result.

Chasing 127, MI London endured a difficult start before Hayley Matthews took responsibility for rebuilding the innings. Displaying her usual composure, the West Indian all-rounder anchored the chase with a well-compiled 32 off 28 balls, appearing to guide her side steadily towards the target. She handled the tricky batting conditions effectively while ensuring the required rate remained under control.

Her innings eventually came to an end in dramatic fashion. Southern Brave pacer Issy Wong produced a clever delivery that breached Matthews' defence and crashed into the stumps, providing the breakthrough Brave desperately needed.

The dismissal shifted momentum once again.

Even after Matthews departed, MI London remained firmly in contention. Experienced campaigners Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Hollie Armitage attempted to steer the chase home, but Southern Brave's bowling attack responded superbly under pressure. Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Sarah Glenn and the rest of the bowling unit consistently hit disciplined lengths, making boundary scoring increasingly difficult on a surface that offered assistance to the bowlers.

Every dot ball increased the pressure. Every over brought Southern Brave closer to defending what had earlier seemed an under-par total.

Jemimah also found herself involved in one of the key moments during the chase. Fielding at deep midwicket, she sprinted forward in an attempt to dismiss Wyatt-Hodge but was unable to hold onto a difficult running catch after the English batter miscued a pull shot off Sarah Glenn's bowling. The chance proved costly as Wyatt-Hodge continued to keep MI London in the contest.

Fortunately for Southern Brave, the missed opportunity did not alter the final outcome. Excellent execution from the bowlers in the closing stages ensured MI London never fully seized control. The fielders maintained their composure under pressure, and Brave eventually completed a dramatic one-run victory, one of the closest finishes of this season's competition.

Receiving the Player of the Match award, Jemimah highlighted the calmness and confidence that helped Southern Brave defend a modest total. "This team has great belief. What sets us apart is the calmness. We kept believing and said one wicket can turn things." She also acknowledged the difficult nature of the batting surface, crediting the bowlers for executing their plans effectively.

"It was a tricky wicket. If you hit good lengths, it was tough to hit boundaries. I know I am standing here, but one of our bowlers should have got it, they bowled really well," she said after the match. Her comments reflected the collective effort that ultimately secured the victory.

Jemimah Rodrigues continues to establish herself as one of the most dependable performers in franchise cricket around the world. While her innings of 32 may not have been the highest score of the match, its timing and intent provided Southern Brave with the platform they desperately needed after being asked to bat first. More importantly, she once again demonstrated her ability to adapt to different match situations. On a pitch where free-flowing strokeplay was difficult, Jemimah balanced caution with aggression, rotating the strike before accelerating at precisely the right moment.

With The Hundred entering its crucial stages, performances like these could prove invaluable for Southern Brave. If Jemimah continues combining intelligent batting with her energetic presence in the field, she will remain one of the team's most influential players as they push for another successful campaign.