When Pratika Rawal hit her first ODI century against Ireland Women in the third ODI on Wednesday, January 15, at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, she elevated her ideal start in international cricket to a new level.
Prior to the match, the right-handed hitter had amassed 290 runs from five One-Day Internationals. She scored 89 and 67 points in the first two games. She took the Ireland bowlers to the cleaners, though, saving her best for the final match.
After winning the toss, Smriti Mandhana chose to bat first on what appeared to be a level surface.
The southpaw smashed the quickest century by an Indian woman after attacking the bowling right away. With just 70 deliveries, she achieved the three-figure milestone. Following Smriti’s departure for a 135 from 80 balls, Pratika began to change tactics by hitting boundaries whenever she pleased.
In the 35th over, she singled off Ava Canning’s bowling to register her first-ever century in international cricket off just 100 deliveries. Pratika demonstrated her desire for more runs by hitting two fours and a six in the next over. She carried on the assault, assisting India in reaching their highest-ever ODI total.
Pratika hit the 150-run milestone with just 127 deliveries in the 44th over, raising her bat once again. The 24-year-old scored an incredible 154 from 129 balls before being removed off the final ball of that over. Throughout her knock, she hit 20 fours and one six.
Pratika sewed 233, 104, and 50 alliances with Tejal Hasabnis, Richa Ghosh, and Mandhana, respectively. The Indian batsman-wicketkeeper struck 10 fours and a six in his scorching 59 off 42 balls. At the end of 50 overs, India finished at 435/5.
Simply took it one ball at a time: Pratika Rawal
“I was just taking things one stride at a time, ball by ball, and not giving any thought to the strokes I should make. In a mid-innings interview, Rawal stated, “I was a little slow when I was in my 70s; those 20 to 30 runs came slowly, but I covered it up later.”
“(On Smriti Mandhana) I don’t mind taking a backseat since it’s always a treat to watch her strike her shots with such strength. I wasn’t thinking about much; we wanted to reach 400, and we posted at about 430, which is excellent. “We are very comfortable with each other, and we are not thinking about records. We are just taking it ball by ball, and that’s what’s making the difference (about her partnership with Smriti),” the child continued. “I don’t think there’s any magic here.”
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