I had written back-to-back pieces last week backing Pratika Rawal. She was being unnecessarily trolled and abused, and it was clearly impacting her mental health. Against England, she looked under pressure and out of sorts. It was as if she was trying too hard. It meant the match against New Zealand was a huge test for her. A failure would have meant more trolls jumping in, and the young lady would have been pushed into a corner.
Pratika was circumspect to start with – 6 off 18 balls, and it was evident that India were taking their time. Smriti Mandhana too was slow off the blocks and the first few overs were challenging. That was when Pratika came into her own. Shots all round the park, it was as if she was in a trance. She wasn’t playing New Zealand. Rather, she was playing against each one who had called her a ‘nepo kid’ and an undeserving inclusion. As the innings went on, she gained in confidence. At no point did the strike-rate dip, and she matched Smriti shot for shot. Even after Smriti was out, Pratika carried on. No lapse in concentration and no giving up. She was on a mission and determined to accomplish it, come what may.
The ball before she got out, Pratika danced down the track and hit one of the best shots of the innings. The ball sailed over the rope and took with it the critics who had unfairly targeted her. She now has 308 runs, second only to Smriti in this World Cup and ahead of Alyssa Healy at No. 3. Pratika has made quite a statement.
Soon after she was dismissed and was walking back, one could sense the relief and the satisfaction. Her coach, Amol Muzumdar, was standing at the door of the change room and had a huge smile on his face. As they celebrated with a high five, it was evident that Pratika’s riposte was the best one possible. She had let her bat do the talking and the job was done.
Or, is it? India are now in the semi-final and mighty Australia are likely to stand in their way. In the match against them earlier in the tournament, Pratika and Smriti had given the team a fine start. That India weren’t able to capitalise is a different matter altogether. With Smriti making the World Cup her own, Pratika will have to step up one more time in the semi-final. It will be the match that matters, and one that could be the making of the women’s game in India. If India take Australia down, seemingly very difficult on paper, they would make history. And also open up the World Cup.
In knockout games, anything can happen, as Harmanpreet Kaur – now captain – showed in a semi-final against Australia in Derby in 2017. A Smriti-Pratika special and things could indeed be set up. India need to believe it is possible, and so does Pratika. These are the matches that make heroes. Script tales and create cults. Pratika will have an opportunity against Australia. Let’s hope that, against all odds, she makes it count.
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