Indian batter Pratika Rawal shared her excitement about playing at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground and discussed India’s strategic focus ahead of the second ODI against England.
A Dream Venue: Lord’s Cricket Ground
The second One Day International between England and India is set to take place at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground, a venue Pratika Rawal described as a “lovely ground.” For any cricketer, playing at Lord’s is a lifelong dream, and Rawal is no exception.
She expressed immense joy and pride at the opportunity to represent her country on English soil, especially at such an iconic stadium. Despite her excitement, she emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and composure for the upcoming match.
Eyes on the Present: One Game at a Time
Having already secured the T20I series 3-2 and currently leading in the ODIs, India is building strong momentum. With the 50-over World Cup just over two months away, the team’s performance is crucial.
However, Rawal insisted that the team’s priority remains firmly on the immediate challenge. She stated that the focus is solely on winning the current series 3-0, taking “just one game at a time.” This approach, she believes, helps maintain better concentration and focus for the players.
Dynamic Partnerships: Batting with Smriti and Harleen
Pratika Rawal has enjoyed a stellar start to her ODI career, forming a highly successful opening partnership with Smriti Mandhana. Their synergy has been remarkable, even crossing the 1,000-run mark together in the series opener.
Rawal highlighted that batting with Mandhana brings a “mind-relieving” experience, reducing pressure regarding dot-ball percentages. She clarified that this doesn’t diminish her own responsibility to maintain scoring pace.
Regarding her approach with Harleen Deol at number three, Rawal explained that it’s situation-dependent. She cited the first ODI pitch in Southampton as an example, where they adapted well to a slower surface, laying a solid foundation for the team.
Addressing the Incident: “Not Intentional”
Pratika Rawal faced a penalty from the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching the Code of Conduct during the first ODI. She was fined 10% of her match fee and received one demerit point for two separate instances of avoidable physical contact.
The incidents involved contact with bowler Lauren Filer while running a single and later with bowler Sophie Ecclestone after her dismissal. Rawal clarified her stance on the eve of the second ODI, stating that the contact was “not intentional.”
She emphasized that she was simply running in her path and that the “shoulder barge” was not deliberate. Rawal expressed that she doesn’t believe it should be a significant issue or cause for fuss.
- Pratika Rawal considers playing at Lord’s a dream come true for any cricketer.
- India’s team strategy is to focus on “one game at a time” for better concentration.
- Rawal shares a prolific 1,000-run opening partnership with Smriti Mandhana.
- She received an ICC fine for unintentional physical contact during the first ODI.
As India continues its campaign, all eyes will be on their performance at the historic Lord’s, aiming for a decisive series victory.
