India’s coach, Amol Muzumdar, defended Pratika Rawal amid criticism of her strike rate in the ongoing Women’s World Cup 2025. Rawal, the second-highest run-scorer for India in the tournament, has amassed 186 runs in five matches. Despite scoring a half-century, her strike rate of 70.99 is the second-lowest among the top ten run-getters, prompting scrutiny from fans who desire a more aggressive approach in the powerplay overs.
During a pre-match press conference ahead of the New Zealand encounter, Muzumdar addressed queries about Rawal and Harleen Deol’s strike rate concerns. He highlighted Rawal’s impressive performance since her international debut, emphasizing her average of around 50 and a strike rate of approximately 82-83. Muzumdar expressed full support for Rawal and Harleen, indicating that no specific discussions had taken place on this matter.
Muzumdar further expressed perplexity over the focus on Rawal’s strike rate, praising her seamless transition to international cricket and reiterating the team’s unwavering backing for her. The coach hinted at potential changes in the team’s composition for the upcoming match against New Zealand, following the decision to include a sixth bowler in the previous game by omitting Jemimah Rodrigues.
Acknowledging the challenging selection process, Muzumdar commended Rodrigues’ professionalism and adaptability to the team’s needs. He emphasized the need for flexibility in team decisions based on varying match conditions and indicated the likelihood of a different team combination for the upcoming fixture in Navi Mumbai.
India is set to face New Zealand in a crucial encounter on Thursday, October 23, as they seek to advance in the tournament.