Pratika Rawal has expressed deep admiration for Shafali Verma following India's historic triumph at the Women's World Cup 2025. Shafali replaced Pratika in the playing eleven after the latter suffered an ankle injury during a league match against Bangladesh. Though Shafali managed only 10 runs in the semi-final against Australia, she delivered a match-winning performance in the final against South Africa, scoring 87 runs off 78 balls and claiming two wickets. Her outstanding all-round display earned her the Player of the Match award as India clinched their first-ever World Cup title with a 52-run victory. Pratika praised Shafali's ability to handle immense pressure and recalled her respect for the Rohtak-born cricketer dating back to a domestic game. Additionally, Pratika discussed her successful opening partnership with Smriti Mandhana, highlighting their mutual understanding and simplicity as key factors behind their consistent performances together.
Pratika Praises Shafali's Pressure Handling and Partnership Insights
Pratika Rawal revealed that her respect for Shafali Verma began during a domestic cricket match where Shafali scored a century against her team while representing Haryana. She emphasized how challenging it was for Shafali to step into a semi-final under such pressure, yet she handled the situation beautifully. Regarding her partnership with Smriti Mandhana, Pratika explained that their simplicity defines their success. Both players share mature understanding of match situations and maintain mutual trust without interfering in each other's game. This respect and understanding have helped them form a formidable opening combination, with both batters consistently scoring runs leading into and during the World Cup tournament.
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