Pratika Rawal Shares Batting Mindset After Heroic 122
Indian opener Pratika Rawal delivered a standout performance against New Zealand in Navi Mumbai, smashing 122 runs from 134 deliveries. Her well-constructed knock not only anchored India’s innings but also helped her equal the record for the joint-fastest to 1000 runs in women’s ODIs.
Earlier in the tournament, Rawal had drawn attention for not capitalizing on her starts. But this time, she responded in style — timing the ball cleanly, rotating the strike smartly, and finding the boundary with ease. Her innings featured 13 fours and two sixes and laid the foundation for a massive 212-run opening stand with Smriti Mandhana.
“Regarding the strike rate, there are certain templates that I like to play on. So, I’ve had a lot of discussion with the coaches. I’ve had n number of talks with how I can progress with my game. What’s my contribution to the team. So, in that front I think I just try to contribute whatever is best for the team,” Rawal told the media on Thursday.
Rawal Reflects on Her Journey to 1000 Runs
At just 25, Rawal has already left her mark on the international stage. Reaching the 1000-run milestone wasn’t an easy climb, and she admitted how much effort went into her growth as a batter.
“Sir, I can assure you I’ve worked very hard for that. So, I mean, I’ve put in a lot of practice sessions. I’ve had a lot of talks with the coaches as well. It may seem easy, but I know when I bat there, there are a lot of challenges and I’m very happy the way I’m progressing right now,” she said.
Her strong starts at the top have been crucial in giving India momentum in recent matches.
A Steady Partnership with Mandhana
Since making her debut in December 2024, Pratika Rawal has developed a smooth and effective partnership with Smriti Mandhana. The duo’s understanding at the crease has consistently provided India with solid foundations, whether batting first or chasing.
“The conversations are pretty simple. I mean, she lets me do what I do best. And I don’t interfere in whatever she does best. So, the whole conversation that happens when we are batting is the calculation part. How much to get in order to set up a big total. And when we are chasing, how to break down into how to fewer parts so that we can chase it easier. So, she’s pretty good with calculations, and I like to chip in whatever she has to say to me. And. And I think it’s both ways, so we like to keep it pretty simple,” Rawal concluded.
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