Pratika Rawal, a key opener for the Indian Women’s cricket team, is determined to enhance her performance by increasing her strike rate, taking a leaf out of captain Smriti Mandhana’s book. As the leading run-scorer in the ongoing series against Zimbabwe, Rawal has already showcased her capability with scores of 100 not out and 61 in the two matches. Ahead of the third ODI in Vadodara, Rawal reflected on her strategy, saying, “I try to replicate what Smriti does at her best… I’m adapting, finding more boundaries in the powerplay.”
Rawal’s role as an opener alongside Mandhana has been under scrutiny due to her strike rate. In 2025, she amassed 976 runs in women’s ODIs at a strike rate of 83.99, whereas Mandhana led the charts with 1362 runs at 109.92. Rawal openly acknowledges the learning experience from Mandhana’s style, stating, “When you see Smriti batting, there’s a lot to learn… Hopefully, I will get there as well.”
Positive signs emerged during Rawal’s century in the first ODI against Zimbabwe, where she hit seven fours in the initial powerplay, scoring 43 off 37 balls, compared to her previous performance of three fours in the same phase during last year’s World Cup century.
Despite the challenges, Rawal remains confident in her role, “There were no conversations inside the dressing room about the batting order… I’m opening for the Indian team and that’s how I went inside with no doubts.” Her partnership with Mandhana has been steady, providing continuity even with the return of Shafali Verma, who excelled in a different capacity at No. 3.
Reflecting on her preparation for the Zimbabwe series, Rawal noted, “The first thing I did after going home from Dubai was to bat longer… to have that patience… Honestly, when you bat for longer, you gain confidence.”
It’s clear Rawal is not just focused on individual milestones but also on contributing to the team’s success consistently. Her journey to replicate Mandhana’s dynamic approach highlights her ambition to evolve as a player, ensuring her place as a formidable force in India’s line-up.
