India, June 21 -- As India dreams of another World Cup triumph at the ongoing ICC Women's T20 World Cup in England, 25-year-old batter Jemimah Rodrigues continues to do what she does best - play fearless cricket, smile through pressure and rise to the occasion. But while stadiums erupt in applause for her performances, there is one approval that matters most: praise from her father, Ivan Rodrigues. "Not all heroes wear capes. My dad is my hero. He has led by example, showing me how to dream big, work hard and live a life of faith in God. He has made me the player I am today and I love him a lot," says Jemimah. On Father's Day today, Ivan has a message for parents everywhere: "Don't try to live your dreams vicariously through your children. Let them discover their passion, find what drives them and stand by them through their journey. Do whatever it takes to support them in achieving their dreams, whatever they may be." For Jemimah, he says, his opinion matters more than public praise. "You can ask Jemimah - it doesn't matter even if the whole world praises her. But when her dad praises her, it means everything to her," says Ivan, his voice cracking with emotion. Having played both father and coach in her life, Ivan, a Mumbai-based cricket coach who runs his own academy in Juhu, says he has always kept the two roles separate: "On the field, I am her coach. She has to follow the same discipline and seriousness as every other student. But once we get home, the father takes over. I tell her, 'Don't worry, beta. You are the best'." The father in him often takes over during her toughest moments. One such instance came during the 2025 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, when Jemimah bounced back from being dropped for the group-stage match against England to score an unbeaten 127 off 134 balls against Australia in the semi-final. Recalling that setback, Ivan says, "She came home broken under the weight of the pressure. But there's one thing I've always taught her: 'Walk like a king. Never droop down.' To have the lion's share, have a lion's heart."...