Pratika Rawal smashed a century to lead India to a nine-wicket win over Zimbabwe on October 23, 2026. Rawal said, “To be able to score another century on the same day was special.” She overcame many injury setbacks to return and dominate the game with a powerful, unbeaten hundred.
October 23 is likely to remain a special date for Pratika Rawal for years to come. It was on this day in 2025 that the India opener smashed her maiden Women's World Cup century against New Zealand. A year later, Rawal marked the occasion with another memorable hundred, guiding India to a nine-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in their historic first-ever Women's ODI in Vadodara.
Before walking out to bat on Friday, Rawal watched the highlights of her World Cup century against New Zealand, drawing inspiration from that memorable innings.
India vs Zimbabwe, 1st Women's ODI: Highlights | Scorecard
“Before going in to bat, I watched the highlights of the game against New Zealand on TV. That was the match in which I scored my last hundred, so to be able to score another century on the same day was special,” Rawal said during the post-match presentation ceremony.
The latest milestone carried added significance given the injury setbacks that have disrupted her career over the past year. Rawal suffered right ankle and knee injuries during India's World Cup match against Bangladesh, ruling her out of the semi-final and the final.
Her recovery also meant missing the 2026 Women's Premier League, where she was set to represent UP Warriorz. She suffered another setback in July 2026 when a cut to her right knee during an India A match against England A ruled her out of India's historic Lord's Test against England.
Against Zimbabwe, Rawal showed the value of her return, producing a commanding innings to bring up her third ODI century.
HOW PRATIKA DOMINATED ZIMBABWE
Rawal laid the foundation for India's chase with a 94-run opening partnership with Smriti Mandhana, who scored 32 before falling to Olinder Chare. After Mandhana's dismissal, Rawal joined forces with Shafali Verma to put Zimbabwe's bowlers under relentless pressure, stitching together an unbeaten 106-run stand.
Rawal brought up her half-century off 54 balls before shifting gears. As she approached the milestone, she continued to find the gaps and punish loose deliveries. She reached her hundred in style, striking consecutive boundaries off Tendai Makusha, including a whippy drive wide of long-on that brought up the landmark.
Rawal finished unbeaten on 100 off 96 balls, with 15 fours, while Shafali hammered 64 not out off just 33 deliveries. Their partnership powered India to 198 in 27.1 overs, sealing a nine-wicket win and giving the hosts a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.