Pratika Rawal dedicates POTM Award to coach Shravan Kumar, family

Delhi’s young batter Pratika Rawal, who made her India international debut last month against West Indies, credited her good run of scores and the first international Player of the Match Award to her coach Shravan Kumar and family.  

“I want to dedicate this to my coach and family members, they have been there for me day in and day out,” said Pratika at press conference after winning her first Player of the Match Award on Friday thanks to an 89-run knock against Ireland Women in Rajkot. She faced 96 balls, hitting 10 fours and a six.

India beat Ireland by six wickets to take 1-0 lead. They chased down the 239-run target in the 35th over reaching 241 for four.

India had a strong 70-run partnership for the first wicket but then lost three wickets for 46 runs. But Pratika kept a steady head adding 116 for the fourth wicket with Tejal Hasabnis (53 not out off 46 balls).

“When the wickets were falling, I was just trying to keep it simple, just play my shots. If I had been given a responsibility to play till the end, I was just trying to contribute till the end, that’s it,” said Pratika.

“The balls that were in my slot, I was just trying to convert them into boundaries, maybe for sixes. That was good. I was trying to go for singles.”

Pratika has had a great start to her international career. She has scored 40, 76, and 18 (all against West Indies) in the previous three internationals, which have all been ODIs.

Tags : Cricket, Pratika Rawal, India Women, Ireland Women, Women's ODI, Rajkot