The Indus Zone Tech Desk | Navi Mumbai, October 23, 2025 | Mandhana-Pratika Rawal Duo Nears Historic Tendulkar-Ganguly Feat
The Indian women’s cricket team witnessed a day of double celebration as opener Pratika Rawal etched her name in record books by equalling a 37-year-old world record, while her partnership with Smriti Mandhana reached historic heights during the crucial Women’s ODI World Cup clash against New Zealand at the DY Patil Sports Academy.
Rawal became the joint-fastest batter in women’s ODI history to complete 1,000 career runs, matching Australia’s Lindsay Reeler, who achieved the feat in just 23 innings in 1988. At the same time, Rawal and Mandhana’s sensational partnership aggregate for 2025 rose to 1,557 runs, making them the highest-scoring pair in a single calendar year in women’s cricket, second only to the legendary duo of Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly in men’s ODIs.
Rawal’s Meteoric Rise: Joint-Fastest to 1,000 ODI Runs
In just her 23rd innings, Pratika Rawal reached the 1,000-run milestone — a feat that took many greats years to accomplish. The 21-year-old right-hander needed only 12 runs entering the match and got there in style, steering India through the opening overs with elegant precision.
With this, she overtook Indian icons Mithali Raj, Smriti Mandhana, and Deepti Sharma, who all required 29 innings or more to reach 1,000 runs. Even more remarkably, Rawal did it in only 304 days since her ODI debut, breaking Laura Wolvaardt’s previous record of 734 days.
The achievement places Rawal alongside some of the most prolific names in women’s cricket, underscoring her consistency and temperament. Her calmness under pressure has quickly made her one of India’s most dependable openers.
Fastest to 1,000 Runs in Women’s ODIs
Player Team Innings
Lindsay Reeler Australia 23
Pratika Rawal India 23
Meg Lanning Australia 25
Nicole Bolton Australia 25
Belinda Clark Australia 27
Laura Wolvaardt South Africa 27
Mithali Raj India 29
Deepti Sharma India 29
Mandhana & Rawal Rewrite Partnership History
The records didn’t stop there. In the same match, Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal delivered a commanding 212-run opening partnership, setting up India’s innings against New Zealand in a must-win encounter. Their stand not only gave India the perfect start but also sealed their place among cricket’s most prolific opening duos.
With that partnership, the pair’s total runs together in 2025 climbed to 1,557, making them the most successful women’s opening pair in a calendar year. Across men’s and women’s ODIs, they now stand second only to Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, who amassed 1,635 runs in 1998 — a record that stood untouched for more than two decades.
Players Runs Year
Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly 1,635 1998
Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal 1,557* 2025
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill 1,523 2023
Adam Gilchrist, Mark Waugh 1,518 1999
Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly 1,483 2000
Dominant Partnership Lights Up Navi Mumbai
The day began with India under immense pressure to keep their semifinal hopes alive after three consecutive losses. Mandhana and Rawal, however, rose to the occasion with a partnership defined by poise, power, and precision.
Smriti Mandhana, already in the form of her life, smashed a fluent 109 off 95 balls, peppered with 10 boundaries and 4 towering sixes. Her footwork and shot placement were immaculate, reaffirming her reputation as one of the finest batters in world cricket.
At the other end, Pratika Rawal crafted a patient yet significant century off 122 balls, marking her maiden World Cup hundred. Though her strike rate was modest early on, she anchored the innings beautifully, ensuring India built a solid foundation.
Head coach Amol Muzumdar later praised her temperament:
“We’ve always believed in Pratika’s ability. She’s young, disciplined, and focused — this century is a reflection of her growth and commitment to the team.”
India’s Must-Win Situation
Despite the record-breaking feats, India’s focus remains firmly on survival in the tournament. They need victories in their remaining games to reach the Women’s World Cup semifinals.
India Women Playing XI:
Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (W), Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur
New Zealand Women Playing XI:
Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (C), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze (W), Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson
New Era for Indian Women’s Cricket
Pratika Rawal’s meteoric rise and her synergy with Smriti Mandhana mark a pivotal moment in Indian women’s cricket. Their performances exemplify the blend of experience and youth that defines this new-look Indian side.
Rawal’s hunger for runs, combined with Mandhana’s flair and consistency, has given India one of the most formidable opening pairs in world cricket. Together, they embody the fearless brand of cricket that modern India stands for — aggressive, resilient, and unafraid of challenges.
Beyond the numbers, their achievements also symbolize the transformation of women’s cricket in India. Once overshadowed by the men’s game, the women’s team now commands equal attention, filling stadiums and dominating global headlines. Young fans see in Pratika Rawal the promise of the next decade — a batter who blends technique with temperament and represents the future of Indian cricket.
As India aim for a spot in the semifinals, one thing is clear — the Mandhana-Rawal partnership is not just rewriting records; it’s redefining what is possible for Indian women in sport.
