Pratika Rawal Thrives Alongside Smriti Mandhana in ODI Series Against Zimbabwe
Pratika Rawal is gaining invaluable experience by batting with Smriti Mandhana, and she believes it has significantly improved her performance. Since making her ODI debut in December 2024, the duo has quickly become India’s top opening pair, racking up an impressive 1,980 runs in just 28 matches.
The combination of their playing styles has made them a powerful asset for the Indian team. Smriti’s aggressive batting and smooth technique perfectly balance Pratika’s calmness and emerging attacking flair. While Mandhana often sets the pace, Pratika is learning to take on a more proactive role, strengthening India’s batting order.
“I watch Smriti closely when she’s batting, and I feel there’s so much I can learn. I try to mimic her best performances, hoping to reach that level too,” Pratika shared ahead of the third ODI against Zimbabwe.
Consistent Performance in the Series
Pratika has been in top form throughout the series against Zimbabwe. She kicked things off with an impressive 100 not out off 96 balls in the first match, leading India to a nine-wicket victory. She followed this with a steady 61 off 67 balls in the second ODI, which helped India post a commanding score of 328 for six, securing a 121-run win. With a total of 161 runs from her first two innings, she has been a crucial player for India in this series.
Her recent performances show a deliberate effort to be more aggressive during the powerplay. With only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle in the first ten overs, Pratika has focused on hitting more boundaries and taking advantage of the fielding restrictions.
“As I play more matches, my understanding of the game deepens. I’ve adapted my skills to find more boundaries during the powerplay because it’s a great time to score runs,” Pratika explained.
Record-Breaking Partnership
Together, Mandhana and Pratika have set new records in ODIs for India. During their first match against Zimbabwe, their opening partnership of 94 runs broke the previous record for the most runs by an Indian pair in women’s ODIs, previously held by Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur.
As of now, India has won all five of their home games against Zimbabwe in the ongoing T20I and ODI series. With the ODI series already in their favor, they now aim to complete a clean sweep in the third and final match set to take place on Wednesday.
