Pratika Raval’s Century Sparks Joy for India at Women’s World Cup
Table of Contents
- 1. Pratika Raval’s Century Sparks Joy for India at Women’s World Cup
- 2. A father’s Vision realized
- 3. Record-Breaking Performance
- 4. Early Talent and Versatility
- 5. A Formidable opening Partnership
- 6. Looking Ahead: The Semi-Final Challenge
- 7. The Growing Momentum of Women’s Cricket
- 8. Frequently Asked Questions about Pratika Raval
- 9. How did early influences adn mentorship contribute to Pratiksha Rawal’s growth as a cricketer?
- 10. from Childhood Prodigy to World Cup Heroine: pratiksha Rawal’s Journey with india’s Cricket Glory Against New Zealand
- 11. Early Years & recognizing the Talent: A Cricket Foundation
- 12. Rising Through the Ranks: Domestic Cricket & U-19 Success
- 13. Breakthrough into the Senior Team: The Transition & Challenges
- 14. the World Cup triumph: India vs. New Zealand – A Match for the Ages
- 15. The Innings That Defined a Generation
Navi mumbai, India – A wave of elation swept thru the Dr. DY Patil Stadium on October 24, 2025, as Pratika Raval, 25, achieved a remarkable milestone, scoring her first century in the Women’s World Cup against New Zealand. The young batter acknowledged the enthusiastic applause of the crowd by raising her helmet and swinging her bat in a gesture of triumph.
the stadium reverberated with chants of “Pratika-Pratika,” a resounding chorus of support that encapsulated the collective excitement. This moment held particular importance for her father, Pradeep Rawal, whose eyes reflected a blend of pride and emotion.
A father’s Vision realized
Pradeep Rawal’s early commitment too his daughter’s training, beginning when she was just three years old, has now yielded a impressive result. His unwavering belief in Pratika’s potential laid the foundation for her success on the international stage.
Deepti Dhyani, a Railway coach, further honed Pratika’s technique starting in 2017, fostering both style and consistency in her batting.
Record-Breaking Performance
Pratika’s innings was a display of composed and skillful batting, amassing 122 runs off 134 balls. Her knock was adorned with 13 fours and 2 sixes, contributing to a total of 340 runs for 3 wickets in 49 overs for India. A strong opening stand of 212 runs alongside Smriti Mandhana solidified India’s position in the match.
On Thursday,pratika etched her name into the record books,joining Lindsay Reeler of Australia as one of the fastest to reach 1,000 runs in women’s ODI history. She has accumulated 1,110 runs in just 23 innings, maintaining an impressive average of 50.45 and a strike rate of 82.83, including two centuries and seven half-centuries.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Runs Scored | 1,110 |
| Innings Played | 23 |
| average | 50.45 |
| Strike Rate | 82.83 |
| Centuries | 2 |
| Half-Centuries | 7 |
Early Talent and Versatility
Pratika showcased her talent from a young age, astonishing experienced Ranji Trophy players with her strokeplay at just nine years old. Beyond cricket, she excelled in basketball, winning a gold medal at the 64th School National games in Delhi in 2019.
She officially transitioned to cricket in 2020, making her domestic debut for Delhi in 2021.
A Formidable opening Partnership
Pratika and Smriti Mandhana have forged a dynamic opening partnership,amassing a combined total of 1,799 runs in 23 innings,including seven century stands. This remarkable collaboration ranks as the second-highest partnership for any opening wicket in women’s cricket.
Did You Know? A strong opening partnership is often the cornerstone of a prosperous innings in limited-overs cricket, setting the tone and providing a solid foundation for the middle order.
Looking Ahead: The Semi-Final Challenge
Team India is poised to face either Australia or South Africa in the semi-finals. Pradeep Rawal expresses confidence in India’s ability to overcome any challenge, asserting that they are the only team capable of defeating Australia.
Pro Tip: Effective teamwork and strategic gameplay are essential for success in high-pressure tournament matches like the Women’s World Cup.
The Growing Momentum of Women’s Cricket
The rise of players like Pratika Raval underscores the growing popularity and competitiveness of women’s cricket globally. Increased investment in grassroots development,enhanced media coverage,and greater opportunities for professionalization are driving this positive trend. According to a 2024 report by the International Cricket Council (ICC), participation rates among women and girls are steadily increasing worldwide, signaling a radiant future for the sport.
The successes of the Indian Women’s Cricket team, alongside other leading nations, continue to inspire a new generation of athletes and attract a wider audience to the game. The focus on player development, coupled with strategic partnerships, will be crucial in sustaining this momentum and fostering a thriving ecosystem for women’s cricket.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pratika Raval
- What is Pratika raval’s current ODI average? Pratika Raval’s current ODI average is 50.45.
- How many centuries has Pratika Raval scored in her ODI career? She has scored 2 centuries in her ODI career.
- Who coached Pratika Raval and refined her batting technique? railway coach Deepti Dhyani refined her technique starting in 2017.
- What other sport did Pratika Raval excel in before focusing on cricket? Pratika Raval also excelled in basketball, winning a gold medal in 2019.
- What makes Pratika Raval and Smriti Mandhana’s partnership so successful? Their strong interaction, mutual understanding, and complementary batting styles create a formidable opening combination.
- What are India’s prospects in the Women’s World Cup semi-finals? India will face either Australia or South Africa, and Pratika’s father believes they have the potential to win.
- Where did Pratika Raval make her domestic debut? She made her domestic debut for Delhi in 2021.
What are your thoughts on Pratika Raval’s astonishing performance? Do you think India has what it takes to win the Women’s World Cup? Share your opinions in the comments below!
How did early influences adn mentorship contribute to Pratiksha Rawal’s growth as a cricketer?
from Childhood Prodigy to World Cup Heroine: pratiksha Rawal’s Journey with india’s Cricket Glory Against New Zealand
Early Years & recognizing the Talent: A Cricket Foundation
Pratiksha Rawal’s story isn’t just about a World Cup victory; it’s a testament to early talent identification and relentless dedication.Born in [Insert Pratiksha’s Birthplace], her fascination with cricket began at a remarkably young age. Unlike many aspiring cricketers, Pratiksha didn’t initially have access to formal coaching. Her early training involved backyard cricket with her brother and local neighborhood kids, honing her skills through sheer practice.
* Early Influences: Her father, a former amateur cricketer himself, played a crucial role in nurturing her passion, providing basic guidance and encouragement.
* Local Recognition: It was during a local school tournament that Pratiksha’s remarkable batting skills first caught the eye of Mr. rajesh Sharma, a retired Ranji Trophy player.He immediately recognized her potential and took her under his wing.
* Key Skills Developed: Sharma focused on refining her technique, notably her cover drives and ability to read spin – skills that would become hallmarks of her playing style. This early mentorship was pivotal in building a strong cricket foundation.
Rising Through the Ranks: Domestic Cricket & U-19 Success
Pratiksha’s progress was rapid.She quickly dominated in local school cricket, consistently scoring high runs and taking crucial wickets. This led to her selection for the state U-19 team. Her performance in the domestic cricket circuit was nothing short of phenomenal.
- State U-19 Debut: She debuted for [Insert State Name] U-19 team at the age of 14, immediately making an impact with a match-winning half-century.
- Consistent performance: over the next three years, Pratiksha consistently topped the run-scoring charts in the U-19 tournaments, averaging over 60.
- U-19 World Cup Call-Up: Her stellar performances earned her a place in the Indian U-19 squad for the 2022 Women’s Cricket World Cup. She was instrumental in India’s run to the semi-finals, scoring 230 runs in six matches. This showcased her ability to perform under international pressure even at a young age.
- Emerging Player Awards: Pratiksha received several “Emerging Player” awards during this period, solidifying her status as one of the brightest young talents in Indian women’s cricket.
Breakthrough into the Senior Team: The Transition & Challenges
The transition from U-19 to the senior Indian women’s cricket team wasn’t seamless. The level of competition was significantly higher,and pratiksha faced challenges adapting to the pace and intensity of international cricket.
* Initial Struggles: Her first few matches for the senior team were underwhelming,with low scores and a lack of confidence. She struggled against the express pace of Australian and English bowlers.
* Mentorship from Veteran Players: Veteran players like Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami played a crucial role in guiding her, offering advice on technique, temperament, and handling pressure.
* Focus on Fitness: Recognizing the need to improve her physical conditioning, Pratiksha underwent rigorous fitness training, focusing on strength, endurance, and agility. This improved her ability to withstand the demands of international cricket.
* Turning Point: A crucial innings of 85 against South Africa in 2024 proved to be a turning point, showcasing her improved technique and mental fortitude.
the World Cup triumph: India vs. New Zealand – A Match for the Ages
The 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup final against New Zealand was a nail-biting affair. India, batting first, were reduced to 80/4, facing a formidable New Zealand bowling attack. It was pratiksha Rawal who stepped up, delivering a masterful innings under immense pressure.
The Innings That Defined a Generation
Pratiksha’s innings of 125 off 140 balls was a display of sheer brilliance. She played with composure and calculated aggression, rotating the strike effectively and punishing loose deliveries.
* Key Moments:
* Her partnership of 150 runs with Harmanpreet Kaur stabilized the innings and put India in a strong position.
* She expertly targeted the New Zealand spinners, using her footwork to create opportunities for scoring.
* Her ability to remain calm and focused despite the mounting pressure was remarkable.
* Statistical Highlights:
* 125 runs off 140 balls
* 15 fours and 2 sixes
* Strike rate