Pratika Rawal suffered a bizarre ankle injury while playing in a meaningless league match against Bangladesh, and Shafali Verma took her place before India and Australia faced off in the Women’s World Cup 2025 semi-final.
Shafali’s outstanding performance in the final versus South Africa made up for her lack of impact against Australia, where she was removed for 10. After taking two wickets and smashing a 78-ball 87, the right-handed batsman helped the Women in Blue win by 52 runs and win the World Cup for the first time. Shafali’s all-around bravery earned her the Player of the Match honor as well.
In a recent interview, Pratika Rawal stated that she has a great deal of respect for Shafali, citing a local cricket match in which the Rohtak-born player had scored a century against her team as the catalyst for her appreciation.
“I hold Shafali in the highest regard. I recall playing against Haryana in a domestic competition; I was captaining the other team when she struck a hundred. I have greatly respected her since that day. Pratika Rawal told India Today, “What she did for our team was amazing.”
“Entering a semi-final with that level of pressure is difficult, but she managed it flawlessly. She continued, “We all witnessed her excellent performance in the championship match.
Pratika Rawal discusses the secret to Smriti Mandhana’s success: “I think it’s our simplicity.”
Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana have established a potent opening combination since Rawal took Shafali’s place as India’s ODI opener last year. Before the World Cup, the pair scored runs for fun, and they maintained their form during the main tournament. According to Rawal, she and Smriti like playing together and have a great understanding of each other’s games.
Our simplicity, in my opinion, is what makes us unique. We enjoy playing together. Both of us are old enough to know what the circumstances call for. I never tamper with her game, and she never tampers with mine. Our collaboration is so successful because of our shared trust and understanding,” Pratika continued.
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