Pratika Rawal scores 22 on T20I debut but fails to build on bright start

Pratika Rawal scored 22 off 18 balls on her T20I debut for India against Thailand in the Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai on Sunday, August 30, but failed to convert a promising start into a substantial innings. Her selection came after Jemimah Rodrigues was ruled out with an injury and arrived amid criticism surrounding her inclusion.

Rawal came to the crease inside the powerplay when Smriti Mandhana was run out for 19 and joined Shafali Verma, the pair compiling a 53-run partnership for the second wicket that provided early momentum for India. The stand helped stabilise the innings during the early overs and set the platform for acceleration.

She did not appear overawed by the occasion and opened her boundary account with a six, going inside out against Sunida Chaturongrattana to clear long-off. Rawal followed that with a four later in the same over, punching a short and wide delivery through the off side.

Against Thailand’s spin attack she continued to use her feet, charging down the track to hit Kamchomphu down the ground for another boundary and producing a well-timed punch through the off side. Those shots underlined her tendency to find gaps as well as use power.

Rawal’s innings ended in the ninth over when leg-spinner Suleeporn Laomi kept the ball on the stumps and it stayed low; Rawal backed away attempting to play to the off side, missed completely and the delivery sneaked underneath her bat to disturb the stumps. The dismissal halted her progress just as she looked capable of pushing on.

It was a knock that did not fully reflect the promise of her stay at the crease, but her approach offered India an encouraging glimpse of what she could bring to the T20I setup. The brief innings contained positive signs even if it fell short of a substantial contribution.

It remains to be seen whether India play her in their second match against Hong Kong on September 3. With Jemimah's return still to come, converting such starts could be crucial if she is to cement her place in India's T20I plans.