NEW DELHI: The runs flowed - and so did the emotions. Jemimah Rodrigues didn't raise her bat with a roar or a fist pump when she reached her century. The celebration came later - a quiet smile, a few tears, and a glance toward the heavens after striking the winning runs in India's record-breaking chase that sealed their place in the Women's World Cup final.

‘No.3s being No.1s’: Déjà vu for India fans as Jemimah Rodrigues reminds them of Gautam Gambhir's 2011 World Cup masterclass

For a few seconds, Jemimah stood still, eyes glistening under the floodlights. This wasn't just another hundred - it was liberation, a release years in the making. The weight of expectations, the silent doubts, the unseen pressure - all melted away in that one moment of triumph.

A woman of deep faith, Jemimah credited her belief in Jesus Christ for giving her the strength and composure to script one of the most unforgettable innings ever seen in a World Cup knockout.

"Towards the end, I was just quoting a scripture from the Bible - to just stand still and that God will fight for me," an emotionally drained out Jemimah said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

Criticised often for not living up to the lofty expectations surrounding her, the Mumbai girl's sublime 127 in a world-record chase will be remembered for eternity.

"I have almost cried every day through this tour. Not doing well mentally, going through anxiety. I knew I had to show up, and God took care of everything. Initially, I was just playing and I keep talking to myself," a teary-eyed Jemimah was hardly able to express her emotions.

Coming from a family where faith holds supreme, it wasn't surprising that Jemimah turned to the Almighty to take her through.

"I just stood there and he fought for me. A lot inside me was left, but was trying to stay calm. I want to thank Jesus, could not do this on my own."

As she threw a flying kiss towards her family sitting in the VIP stands, she thanked his dad and coach Ivan, who has been her guiding force.

"I want to thank my mom, dad and coach and every single person who believed in me. It was really hard this last month, it feels like a dream and it still has not sunk in."

It was an innings which had taken a toll on her emotionally as much as it sapped her physically.

"Towards the end, I was trying to push myself but was not able to. Deepti spoke to me every ball and kept encouraging me. Richa came and lifted me up.

"When I cannot carry on, my teammates can encourage me. Cannot take credit for anything, I did not do anything (on my own). Each and every member of the crowd who chanted, cheered and believed, and for every run they were cheering, that pumped me up."

In fact, Jemimah didn't even celebrate her hundred and only let it rip once the match was over.

"Today was not about my fifty or my hundred, about making India win. Everything that happened so far, was a setup for this. Last year, I was dropped from this World Cup. I was in good form. But things kept happening back-to-back, and could not control anything," she added.

She also didn't know five minutes prior to walking out that she would be batting at No. 3 on the day which will probably change the course of her career forever.

"I was taking a shower and just told them to let me know. Five minutes before entering in, I was told I was batting at three. When Harry di came, it was all about one good partnership."

(With PTI Inputs)