Pratika Rawal scored an important 75 runs which went a long way in India posting 330 against Australia in the Women's World Cup league stage match at Visakhapatnam on Sunday. The India opener along with Smriti Mandhana had built a 155-run partnership, becoming only the second opening pair in history to record a 100+ partnership against Australia in the Women's World Cup. "Very happy that we had that 100-run partnership. She likes to go in a way that is very entertaining. Happy that I got a decent start. Was struggling in between. There were lot of dot balls. But I'm happy that I was able to convert it into a big total. Everyone chipped in well. Just like to play the ball on the merit. Just take on the shots that are in my area," Rawal said in a mid-innings chat. Mandhana brought up her fifty in 46 balls, and Rawal followed the suit a bit later off 69 balls, and they were also aided by a pitch that played a whole lot more smoothly than in the match against South Africa. The India vice captain would depart for 80 but not before she became the fastest woman to score 5000 ODI runs in the history of the game. The RCB batter also became the first player to complete 1000 ODI runs in a calendar year in women's cricket. Rawal, meanwhile, was then sent back around 6 overs after Mandhana's departure, falling to Annabel Sutherland in the 31st over. Ahead of this match, Rawal got starts but couldn't convert them into big scores in the tournament, scoring 37 vs Sri Lanka, 31 against Pakistan and 37 against South Africa. After the two openers had departed, Harleen Deol (38), Harmanpreet Kaur (22), Jemimah Rodrigues (33 off 21) and Richa Ghosh (32 off 22) added brisk runs down the order. Australia fought back late, dismissing India in 48.5 overs. Annabel Sutherland took 5/40 in 9.5 overs while Sophie Molineux bagged 3/75 in 10 overs. India's total of 330 leaves Australia chasing the highest successful run chase in Women's ODIs with the the current record being 302/4 by Sri Lanka against South Africa last year.
