Pratika Rawal has emerged as one of the most promising talents in One-Day International cricket, achieving a remarkable start to her career that rivals the finest in the game. In her first six innings, Rawal amassed an impressive 444 runs, averaging 74, a feat unmatched by any female cricketer. Only South Africa's Janneman Malan has surpassed her run total in this early phase of an ODI career.
In the third ODI against Ireland, Rawal made headlines with a stunning innings of 154 runs from 129 balls, establishing a formidable partnership with her opening partner Smriti Mandhana. Together, they added a significant 233 runs, driving India to a record-setting total of 435 for 5, the highest in the team's ODI history. This stellar performance has set a high benchmark for both her future and the team’s ambitions.
Smriti Mandhana, who captained the side in the absence of Harmanpreet Kaur, expressed her admiration for Rawal’s batting proficiency. Mandhana highlighted Rawal's adaptability as one of her key attributes. She noted that Rawal possesses a calm demeanor and a strong understanding of her game, allowing her to be versatile at the crease. Mandhana remarked on Rawal's ability to switch between aggressive and defensive play styles, which is essential for a successful batter. Furthermore, Rawal's agility between the wickets has proven advantageous, allowing her to convert singles into doubles, a crucial factor in the one-day format. With India set to host the ODI World Cup later this year, Mandhana hopes Rawal will maintain her impressive form.
The Indian batting lineup enjoyed significant success throughout the series against Ireland. In the first ODI, they chased down a target of 239 in less than 35 overs, followed by scoring 370 runs in the second match. The conditions at the Rajkot pitch allowed the batters to showcase their skills freely. Mandhana took full advantage, becoming the fastest Indian to score a century in ODIs, achieving the milestone in just 70 balls before concluding her innings with 135 runs off 80 deliveries.
Mandhana acknowledged the favorable batting surface but also noted the challenges for bowlers. She expressed her desire to reproduce such favorable conditions in future matches. The Indian captain emphasized the need to capitalize on designated scoring opportunities, advocating for an aggressive mindset when the deliveries aligned with their batting strengths. Her strategy was straightforward: play freely when the ball was in her scoring range, as days like that are rare for an opening batter.
With their record-setting total established, the Indian bowlers executed their plans with precision. The spin attack, comprising Deepti Sharma, Tanuja Kanwar, and Minnu Mani, collectively claimed six wickets, leading to Ireland's collapse at 131 runs. India secured an extraordinary victory margin of 304 runs, their largest win in ODI history.
Although Ireland had managed to bat through all 50 overs in the previous two ODIs, Mandhana emphasized that India's bowlers performed well in those encounters, noting that the pitch's gradual wear provided more support for spin bowlers during the third match. She observed that in the earlier games, Ireland adopted a cautious approach, focusing on running singles rather than aggressive shot-making, making it more challenging for bowlers to take wickets.
Mandhana clarified that it was not a lack of skill from the bowlers in the initial matches, stating they executed their plans effectively. However, the increased assistance for spinners on the final matchday, combined with Ireland's more audacious batting, resulted in their downfall.
In terms of seam bowling, Titas Sadhu and Sayali Satghare laid the groundwork for the Indian victory by taking crucial early wickets that set the tone for the innings. Mandhana praised their initial breakthroughs, emphasizing that claiming early wickets with the new ball is pivotal for establishing a strong foundation for the spinners to build on as the innings progresses.
In summary, Pratika Rawal's remarkable start in ODI cricket, combined with consistent performances from her teammates, indicates a promising future for the Indian women’s cricket team. As they prepare for the upcoming ODI World Cup, maintaining their current form and strategic execution will be vital for India to solidify its position as a formidable force in women's cricket.