Watching Smriti Mandhana up close, Pratika Rawal finds a blueprint for greatness
Pratika Rawal believes batting alongside Smriti Mandhana has helped her understand how to elevate her game. Since Pratika’s ODI debut in December 2024, the pair have emerged as India’s most successful opening combination, accumulating 1,980 runs across 28 matches.
Their contrasting styles have made them a formidable pair, with Mandhana’s fluent strokeplay complementing Pratika’s composure and growing attacking instincts. While Mandhana sets the tempo with her ability to dominate bowling attacks, Pratika has shown an increasing willingness to take the initiative, making their partnership a key strength of India’s batting line-up.
“When you see Smriti batting at the other end, you feel like there is a lot to learn and you feel like, what if I start doing the same thing? So I just try to replicate what she does when she is in her best version. Hopefully, I will get there as well,” Pratika said on the eve of the third ODI against Zimbabwe.
MORE BOUNDARIES IN THE POWERPLAY
Pratika has been in outstanding form against Zimbabwe, beginning the three-match ODI series with an unbeaten 100 off 96 balls in the opening match, which India won by nine wickets. She followed it up with a composed 61 off 67 deliveries in the second ODI, helping India post 328 for six in a commanding 121-run victory. With 161 runs from two innings, she has been one of India’s most consistent performers in the series.
Her performances have reflected a conscious effort to become more aggressive during the powerplay in ODIs. With only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle during the first 10 overs, Pratika has worked on finding more boundaries and making better use of the fielding restrictions.
“The more matches that I have played over the years, the more I am understanding the game better. So it’s basically an adaptation of that game, adaptation of my batting and adaptation of how bowlers are bowling towards me. Yes, to be fair, I have worked on that as well to be able to find more boundaries in the powerplay because there are only two fielders outside so you can actually get an advantage of hitting a lot of boundaries,” Pratika added.
Mandhana and Pratika’s partnership has also rewritten India’s ODI record books. During the first match against Zimbabwe, their 94-run opening stand took them past Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur’s previous record for the most partnership runs by an Indian pair in women’s ODIs.
India have won all five of their home matches against Zimbabwe across the ongoing T20I and ODI series. With the ODI series already secured, Mandhana’s side will look to complete a clean sweep when the teams meet in the third and final ODI on Wednesday.
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