October 13, 2025

Visakhapatnam witnessed a dazzling display of batting as India’s top-order duo, Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal, created magic against Australia in the Women’s ODI World Cup. Despite India losing the match, their opening partnership of 155 runs off 147 balls was a sparkling example of teamwork and skill. No changes were made to India’s playing XI from the previous game against South Africa — no panic, just faith in their stars. Smriti and Pratika have become the talk of the town with their incredible record. In just 21 innings together, they have scored 1,520 runs and produced 15 fifty-plus opening stands! These numbers prove why India trusts this pair so much. Smriti’s fiery 80 off 66 balls and Pratika’s steady 75 off 96 balls showed a perfect blend of power and patience. The team management’s confidence in Pratika paid off. Though she has struggled with dot balls, they see her as the steady rock, keeping the innings balanced rather than going after quick runs. In Visakhapatnam, this strategy shone brightly. They even scored the tournament’s fastest fifty and one of the highest Powerplay totals ever! Smriti appeared to find her rhythm with crisp shots like a smooth cover drive off Kim Garth. She took the game by storm especially against Sophie Molineux, hitting towering sixes and risk-free boundaries. This quick assault neutralised Australia’s left-arm spin threat early on. Across the pitch, Pratika soaked up pressure and then fought back fiercely, including punishing the bowler Tahlia McGrath with a four and a six. Her grit unsettled Australia’s bowling plans, forcing captain Alyssa Healy to change tactics. Together, this pairing shows a beautiful contrast — experienced Smriti in her third World Cup and younger Pratika, a rookie who debuted less than a year ago. Indian cricket thinkers see this duo as a long-term beacon. Picking Pratika over Shafali Verma was not just about stats; it was about having a dependable partner for Smriti. And with Smriti smashing records, including becoming the only female cricketer to score 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year, this partnership has become priceless. While Pratika still faces challenges like getting stuck on the 30s mark, she is learning and improving fast. India’s innings reflected this balance perfectly — Smriti controlled the game tempo while Pratika provided a steady hand. Though India fell short by three wickets, the shining star was this opening stand. India’s path to the semi-finals will need fixes, but one big positive is clear: the Smriti-Pratika partnership could be India’s winning recipe for the World Cup journey ahead.

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Tags: Smriti mandhana, Pratika rawal, Women’s odi world cup, India vs australia, Cricket partnership, Top-order batting,