By Trisha Ghosal in Mumbai
India have marched into the semifinals after a commanding win over New Zealand at the D.Y. Patil Stadium, finishing fourth in the league stage. The victory came on the back of a record-breaking 212-run opening partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal, both scoring hundreds, before Jemimah Rodrigues’ fluent 76 powered India to a mammoth total. New Zealand, despite Amelia Kerr and Brooke Halliday’s resistance, were undone early by Renuka Thakur’s double strike.
Below are excerpts from Pratika Rawal’s post-match press conference, where the young opener spoke candidly about pressure, milestones, and her partnership with Smriti.
“It May Look Easy, But It’s Not”
Pratika smiled when asked about her dream start to international cricket. “I can assure you it’s not easy! I’ve worked really hard for this,” she said. “It might look simple from the outside, but every match brings new challenges. I’ve had long practice sessions, many chats with the coaches, all of that preparation helps. I’m just happy with how I’m progressing.”
“Belief Was the Turning Point”
Reflecting on India’s transformation after a shaky start to the World Cup, Pratika credited the team’s mindset. “We kept telling ourselves we can win from any situation. The coach spoke about belief, that was the biggest takeaway. We’ve had different match winners in every game, and today it all came together.”
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“I Don’t Care About Numbers”
When told she had become the joint-fastest to 2,000 ODI runs, Pratika shrugged. “I only got to know after the match. I don’t really focus on numbers, my goal is to win games for India. The support from teammates and coaches has been amazing, and that allows me to express myself freely.”
“We Kept Things Simple”
On her 212-run stand with Smriti Mandhana, she said, “Batting with Smriti makes things easier. We don’t complicate things, clear communication, calm approach. I struggled a bit early on, but she kept telling me to stay patient. Once I found rhythm, it just clicked.”
“It Was Special to Have My Dad There”
Her voice softened when speaking about her father watching her century from the stands. “It was really emotional. My dad has come for every international game I’ve played. Scoring a hundred in front of him, in India colours, that’s something we’ve both dreamt of for years.”
