In the dynamic field of cricket, there stands a few stories that captivates fans and analysts alike as much as the meteoric rise of India’s Pratika Rawal. Within just 8 Women’s One Day Internationals (WODIs), Rawal has etched her name in the record books as the fastest to 500 runs in the format. As she sets new benchmarks for debutants in this sport, let’s have a quick lookout at her key milestones.
Rawal played for Delhi in her early career. She switched to playing for Railways in 2024, in the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy and Senior Women’s T20 Trophy. In 2023-24 Senior Women’s One Day Trophy she scored 411 runs from eight matches with the average of 68.50 and a strike-rate of 91.94 including two centuries and a top score of 141. In 2024, she captained Delhi to the final of the Under-23 T20 Trophy. She was the second highest run-scorer having scored 182 runs from nine matches.
In December 2024, she got her maiden call-up for the national team, for the ODI series against West Indies. The youngster starred in the second ODI, scoring her maiden half century (76) and also picking 2 wickets against West Indies, emerging as a top performer in both the innings. She then went on to convert it into a big score, scoring 154 off 129 balls against Ireland. She achieved her maiden century while breaking the record for the highest individual score by an Indian on home soil.
Currently, the youngster has set a new benchmark by becoming the fastest to reach 500 runs in Women’s ODIs in just 8 Innings. The record was previously held by former England batter Charlotte Edwards, who got there in 9 innings. Pratika recently crossed the milestone and has surpassed some of the greatest names in the game: Kathryn Bryce (10), Nicole Bolton (11), Belinda Clark (12), and even India’s own Mithali Raj, who achieved the feat in 13 innings.
Fastest to 500 Runs in Women’s ODIs:
Pratika Rawal (India)- 8 innings
Charlotte Edwards (England)- 9 innings
Kathryn Bryce (Scotland) – 10 innings
Nicole Bolton (Australia)- 11 innings
Belinda Clark (Australia)- 12 innings
Rawal’s impact extends beyond individual accolades. In the match against Ireland, she partnered with captain Smriti Mandhana to forge the 3rd highest partnership for India in women’s ODI with a 233-run opening stand. On April 27, Pratika scored an unbeaten 50 off 62 balls, as she stitched a solid 95-run partnership that sealed the win for India in their ongoing tri-series campaign. She even won the Player of the Match Award.
In the second game of the Tri-Series against South Africa, Rawal not only made history as the fastest to 500 runs in Women’s ODIs but also registered her fifth consecutive fifty-plus score, joining an elite list of legends, including Mithali Raj and Ellyse Perry, who have achieved this remarkable feat.
Rawal isn’t just rewriting history, she’s setting benchmarks for upcoming debutants. She has showcased a blend of technical finesse and dominant stroke play. Her ability to anchor innings while maintaining her scoring strike and rewriting records in her name, Rawal’s contributions are poised to be instrumental in shaping its future successes.
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