India batter Jemimah Rodrigues has taken a significant step towards returning to international cricket after recovering from a high-grade hamstring tear that kept her sidelined for nearly three months.
On October 31, Rodrigues confirmed that her hamstring had been declared fit following an extended rehabilitation programme. The update raises the possibility of her returning to India’s squad for the upcoming multi-format tour of South Africa in December.
The 26-year-old has been out of competitive cricket since August, missing the Women’s T20 Asia Cup, the Asian Games and India’s recent home series against Zimbabwe. Although her recovery is an encouraging development, her participation in the South Africa tour remains subject to selection.
Jemimah Rodrigues Confirms Recovery After Three Months
Rodrigues shared the positive news through Instagram, announcing that she had completed rehabilitation and was ready to resume her cricketing activities.
“Hamstring has been declared fit. After 3 months of rehab. Now I can’t wait to get going,” she wrote.
The announcement marks an important milestone in her recovery after an injury that interrupted her international commitments during the second half of 2026.
While Rodrigues has received confirmation that her hamstring is fit, the update does not establish when she will return to competitive action. Her availability for India’s next assignment will depend on her continued fitness and the national team’s selection plans.
Nevertheless, the development brings her closer to ending a lengthy absence from international cricket.
How Rodrigues Suffered Her Hamstring Injury
Rodrigues sustained the injury on August 3 while representing Southern Brave in The Hundred in Cardiff.
The right-handed batter suffered damage to her right hamstring during the competition, and subsequent examinations by the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s medical team revealed a high-grade tear.
The severity of the injury required an extended rehabilitation period, ruling her out of several important international assignments.
Rodrigues consequently missed the Women’s T20 Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates and the Asian Games in Japan. India went on to win both tournaments without her, but the injury prevented her from contributing to either title-winning campaign.
Her absence continued through October, when India hosted Zimbabwe for three T20Is and three ODIs. The hosts completed 3-0 series sweeps in both formats, extending their successful run despite being without one of their experienced middle-order batters.
Rodrigues Has Not Played for India Since June
Rodrigues’ last international appearance came in June 2026, when India suffered a defeat against Australia at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England.
She subsequently joined Southern Brave for The Hundred but sustained the hamstring injury in August, delaying her return to the national side.
The interruption has kept her away from India’s international matches for several months, including two major tournaments and the bilateral series against Zimbabwe.
Rodrigues has been an important member of India’s T20I batting lineup, contributing 2,824 runs at a strike rate of 119. She is the country’s fourth-highest run-scorer in women’s T20 internationals.
Her experience in the middle order, ability to rotate the strike and capacity to build partnerships have made her a valuable option in India’s white-ball setup.
A successful return would therefore provide the team with another experienced batting choice as it prepares for future international assignments.
India Tour of South Africa Offers Potential Comeback Opportunity
India’s next scheduled assignment is a multi-format tour of South Africa in December, featuring one Test, three ODIs and three T20Is.
The series represents Rodrigues’ first potential opportunity to return to international cricket following her recovery.
However, her Instagram announcement confirms only that her hamstring has been declared fit. It does not mean she has received a place in India’s squad or that she will necessarily feature in any of the matches.
The selectors will need to assess her readiness before determining whether she can return during the tour.
With several players having performed well during India’s recent victories over Zimbabwe, competition for batting positions could also influence the team’s selection decisions.
For Rodrigues, the immediate priority will be maintaining her fitness and preparing for the demands of international cricket after an extended period away from competitive matches.
Rodrigues’ Return Could Strengthen India’s Middle Order
Rodrigues’ recovery comes after a successful period for India’s women’s team, which secured titles at the Asia Cup and Asian Games before completing comprehensive series victories against Zimbabwe.
Although the team achieved those results without her, Rodrigues remains an experienced international batter with a substantial record in T20 cricket.
Her return could provide additional depth and flexibility to India’s middle order, particularly during a multi-format series that will test the squad across different playing conditions.
The South Africa tour will also offer India an opportunity to evaluate its batting combinations as the team continues preparing for future international competitions.
For now, Rodrigues’ fitness clearance is the most important development. After nearly three months of rehabilitation following the high-grade tear sustained in Cardiff, she is closer to returning to action.
Whether that comeback takes place in South Africa will depend on her selection and continued fitness, but her recovery has brought an end to a significant stage of her injury layoff.
