Pratika’s century was one of the finest

India opener Pratika Rawal during her 122 against New Zealand at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Thursday. PIC/Atul Kamble

The unexpected passing away of the one and only Piyush Pandey has brought forth such an outpouring of tributes that the man himself would have reacted with a scoff and that uninhibited laugh saying, "ullu de pathe." For someone, who was not what would be termed a public figure, the tributes tell you what a well-loved person he was. He loved his cricket and having studied in the same college with Arun Lal, our conversations would be about his dear friend's cricket. He loved the story of Arun Lal and Kris Srikkanth, with the late Pakistani President General Zia-ul-Haq and would laugh heartily even at the umpteenth hearing of it.

Piyush was loved by all

There must be something in the air where he and Arun studied for just like Piyush never had anyone bad mouth him, Arun along with GRV must be the only two cricketers, who do not have anybody in the cricketing world utter an ill word about them. Piyush would have gone happy seeing the way our girls entered the semi-final of the ICC Women's World Cup.

The batters, especially the openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal, were the ones who set them up with a double century opening partnership against New Zealand. This is so rare in the game today as both scored magnificent centuries. We all know of Smriti's love for hundreds and so to see Pratika get her first was a delight. It was one of the finest centuries seen in a long, long time for its technical perfection and the range of shots. There was no crass hitting but just stylish, smart batting, embodying cricketing shots, recognising where the gaps were and fielders weren't. Knowing one's limitations is very important and Rawal seemed to know that more than power, it was timing and placement which was the key. Then, when Jemimah Rodrigues came in to bat, she also looked to get the boundaries rather than the sixes. The difference between a four and a six is just two runs but the risk percentage goes up substantially when trying to hit a six. With the greatest of respect, not too many Indian girls have the power to hit sixes, so looking to do that and being caught well inside the boundary isn't doing the team any good. Smartly chipped over the infield shots can keep the scoreboard ticking very quickly indeed.

While some of the girls are playing in a World Cup for the first time and so can be excused for bowling in the slot in the final overs, it is disheartening to see the experienced ones doing it knowing the batter is looking to slog the ball.

Defending scores, a problem

Bowling a bit wide of the arc of the bat is also hardly seen and that's why defending scores is becoming a problem. If the game against New Zealand had been a proper fifty overs game and not a reduced one, who knows what would have happened. That said, it's been an absolute thrill to watch the girls and here's wishing them the very best to bring the cup home.

Professional Management Group