How Pratika Rawal drew on World Cup memories to rediscover her spark on the same day

October 23 is likely to remain a special date for Pratika Rawal for years to come. It was on this day in 2025 that an Indian opener smashed it first Women’s World Cup century against New Zealand. A year later, Rawal scored another memorable hundred on the occasion to lead India to a nine-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in their first ever women’s ODI in Vadodara.

Before going out to bat on Friday, Rawal watched the highlights of her World Cup century against New Zealand and drew inspiration from those memorable innings.

India vs Zimbabwe 1st Women’s ODI: Highlights | Scorecard

“Before I went to bat, I watched the highlights of the match against New Zealand on TV. That was the match in which I scored my last hundred, so to be able to score another century on the same day was special,” Rawal said during the post-match presentation.

: Maiden WC set : ODI Century No. 3 A day to cherish for Pratika Rawal #TeamIndia | #INDvWINTER | @mflone_ | @RawalPratika BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) October 23, 2026

The latest milestone took on added significance given the injury setbacks that have marred her career over the past year. Rawal suffered right ankle and knee injuries during India’s World Cup match against Bangladesh, which ruled her out of the semi-finals and final.

Her recovery also meant she missed the 2026 Women’s Premier League, where she was due to represent UP Warriorz. She suffered another setback in July 2026 when a cut to her right knee during the India A vs England A match ruled her out of India’s historic Lord’s Test against England.

Against Zimbabwe, Rawal proved the value of her comeback and produced a commanding innings that brought up her third ODI century.

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Rawal laid the foundations for India’s chase with a 94-run opening partnership with Smriti Mandhana, who scored 32 before falling to Olinder Chare. After Mandhan’s dismissal, Rawal combined with Shafali Verma to put the Zimbabwean bowlers under relentless pressure and put together an unbeaten 106-run stand.

Boundaries to hit memorable STOs Pratika Rawal does in fine fashion Update #TeamIndia | #INDvWINTER | @mflone_ | @RawalPratika BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) October 23, 2026

Rawal brought up her half-century from 54 balls before kicking into gear. As she neared the milestone, she continued to find gaps and punish loose deliveries. She reached her hundred in style, hitting back-to-back Tendai Makusha boundaries, including a blistering drive wide and long on that brought up the landmark.

Rawal finished unbeaten on 100 off 96 ballswith 15 fours while Shafali hit 64 not out from just 33 deliveries. Their partnership powered India to 198 in 27.1 overs, sealing a nine-wicket victory and giving the hosts a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

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