How Pratika Rawal drew on World Cup memories to rediscover her spark on same day

IND vs ZIM, 1st WODI: Pratika Rawal drew inspiration from her 2025 Women's World Cup century to score another hundred on October 23, guiding India to a nine-wicket win over Zimbabwe in their historic first-ever Women's ODI.Pratika Rawal scored her 3rd ODI century on Friday. Courtesy: BCCI WomenNew Delhi,Oct 23, 2026 21:29 ISTOctober 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. : Maiden WC hundred : ODI Century No. 3 A day to cherish for Pratika Rawal #TeamIndia | #INDvZIM | @mflone_ | @RawalPratika https://t.co/Zfn59RosNI— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) October 23, 2026 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 ZIMBABWERawal 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.A boundary to get to a memorable HUNDRED Pratika Rawal does in fine fashion Updates https://t.co/rohw1JYI7e #TeamIndia | #INDvZIM | @mflone_ | @RawalPratika https://t.co/gDxaXf2uM8— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) October 23, 2026Rawal 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.- Ends