Young batter Pratika Rawal feels she and star opener Smriti Mandhana just get each other. This has led to some great starts for India, which could be important in the ODI Women’s World Cup starting September 30.
Pratika, who started playing ODIs in December and has quickly become a reliable top-order batter, says that even though she and Mandhana are both quiet, they have a special bond.
Pratika had a century partnership with Mandhana in the first ODI against Australia. They also had a 70-run stand in the second game, which India won by a huge 102 runs.
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I think it’s pretty easy and natural, said the 25-year-old, who has six half-centuries and a century since joining the India team, on the JioHotstar show Off the Pitch. We don’t need to talk much between innings. She does her thing, and I do mine. We just understand each other, it’s not forced.
Even off the field, she’s quiet, and so am I, Pratika added. Maybe we’re a bit of both, quiet and outgoing. Because of that we don’t have to try hard to connect, we already get each other.
India and Sri Lanka will host the World Cup, and they’ll play each other in the first game in Guwahati on September 30.
Pratika said she likes batting with Mandhana because they both focus on building the innings one ball at a time.
On the field, I’m just focused on the next ball, and everything else follows. I enjoy batting with her more than she enjoys batting with me, Pratika said. It’s great, especially the way she plays and goes after every ball. It’s amazing to watch.
Pratika said team goals come before her own.
We have team meetings and talk about different plans, but I care more about team goals than personal ones, Pratika said. If I can help the team, that’s the best thing I can do.
Pratika said when she found out she was picked for the World Cup, her family didn’t show much emotion, but she knows they’re happy inside.
My parents don’t show their feelings much, but I know they feel a lot, she said. When my name was announced, I was at home with my brother while my parents were out.I went to my brother’s room and said, ‘Congratulate me.’ He asked why, and I said, ‘I got picked for the World Cup.’ He just said, ‘Okay? Good for you.’
Later I called my mom and told her and she just said, ‘That’s good, very good.’ They don’t show it much but I can tell they’re proud. Even my coach told me my mom has been smiling more lately. They may not show it but I know they’re happy, she said.
