Sunil Gavaskar Gifts Jemimah Rodrigues Bat-Shaped Guitar, Joins Her for Special Duet

Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar created a memorable off-field moment for India women’s cricket star Jemimah Rodrigues by gifting her a customised bat-shaped guitar and joining her for a long-promised musical duet in Mumbai. The heartwarming interaction took place on the eve of the Women’s Premier League opener, blending cricket, music, and nostalgia into a unique celebration of two generations of Indian cricket.

Gavaskar surprised Jemimah with the specially designed guitar, shaped like a cricket bat — a thoughtful tribute to her identity as both a professional cricketer and a passionate singer. Jemimah’s reaction captured the joy of the moment as she carefully unboxed the gift, admiring the craftsmanship and smiling broadly at the gesture. The interaction quickly became a talking point among fans, highlighting the lighter, human side of elite sport.

Known for his humour, Gavaskar added his trademark wit while presenting the gift, joking that he was not the “opening bat” for the occasion and urging Jemimah to open the box. The exchange reflected the warmth and mutual respect shared between the two, despite belonging to very different eras of Indian cricket.

The moment had its origins during India’s Women’s World Cup campaign at home. After India reached the final following a dramatic semi-final victory, Gavaskar had publicly promised Jemimah that he would jam with her if the team went on to lift the trophy. Although the title ultimately eluded India, Jemimah kept the promise alive with good-natured reminders.

At a public conclave in December 2025, Jemimah spoke about Gavaskar’s assurance and even showcased her singing talent on stage, saying she was still waiting for “Sunil sir” to honour his word. True to his reputation, Gavaskar followed through, proving that the promise was never forgotten.

The highlight of the evening came when the duo finally sat down to sing together. Side by side, Gavaskar and Jemimah performed the iconic song Yeh Dosti, made famous by the film Sholay. The duet struck a chord with fans, symbolising friendship, mentorship, and shared joy beyond competitive sport.

Jemimah later shared glimpses of the evening on social media, describing the bat-shaped guitar as the “coolest Bat-ar ever” and calling the experience a special one. The post drew widespread appreciation, with fans praising Gavaskar’s thoughtful gesture and Jemimah’s infectious enthusiasm.

The musical moment capped a remarkable phase in Jemimah’s career. During the Women’s World Cup, she delivered one of the tournament’s most memorable performances, scoring an unbeaten 127 in the semi-final against Australia to anchor India’s record chase and secure a place in the final. It was after that innings that Gavaskar made his now-fulfilled promise.

With international duties completed, Jemimah has now turned her focus to the Women’s Premier League, where she has been appointed captain of Delhi Capitals. She is set to lead the side against Mumbai Indians at the DY Patil Stadium, carrying forward both leadership responsibility and the momentum of a memorable personal milestone.