Pratika Rawal, India's latest opening partner for Smriti Mandhana, has made a highly commendable start to her ODI career. Could she end up displacing Shafali Verma as first-choice in the format?
In November, India made the decision to drop Shafali from their ODI squad for the tour of Australia, following a period of prolonged poor form. She did not make it back to the squad for the home series against West Indies, and is now not involved in the ongoing home series against Ireland.
Still only on the cusp of her 21st birthday, there is more than enough time for Shafali to turn around what has been an underwhelming 50-over career so far. She averages 23 after 29 matches in the format – not far off her T20I average of 25.6.
