Wed Sep 17 08:50:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Indian women’s cricket team openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal have been in phenomenal form, breaking records with their consistent partnerships. They have amassed 1200 runs in 15 innings, including 958 in 2025, with 11 fifty-plus partnerships and 5 century partnerships. Their prolific scoring rate of 6.06 per over has earned them a world record for most runs by an opening pair in a calendar year, averaging 80.66. While they contributed a 114-run stand in the recent ODI against Australia, the team lost the match. Their form is a significant boost for India as they prepare for the upcoming home World Cup, where their strong starts will be crucial. Rawal expressed her admiration for batting alongside Mandhana, highlighting her aggressive approach.

**News Article:**

**Mandhana and Rawal Shatter Records as Opening Duo Heads into World Cup**

**Mullanpur, India** – Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal are rewriting the record books with their sensational opening partnerships for the Indian women’s cricket team. The pair has amassed a staggering 1200 runs in just 15 innings, including a remarkable 958 in 2025 alone. Their consistent performance, highlighted by 11 fifty-plus partnerships and 5 century partnerships, has propelled them to a world record for the most runs by an opening duo in a calendar year.

Their impressive form provides a significant boost for India as they gear up for the highly anticipated home World Cup. The duo’s ability to provide strong starts will be crucial to India’s chances of success.

In the recent ODI against Australia, Mandhana and Rawal stitched together a 114-run stand, the third-highest partnership in Indian women’s cricket history. While India ultimately fell short of victory, the openers’ contribution underlined their importance to the team.

“It’s always great batting with her (Mandhana) and the way she takes on every ball is so amazing to see,” said Rawal, speaking after their impressive stand against Australia.

The duo’s average of 80.66 speaks volumes about their consistency and understanding. As India prepares for the World Cup, the form of Mandhana and Rawal offers a beacon of hope and a reason to believe that they can conquer any challenge.

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