India have been facing severe criticism after losing three matches on the trot in the ongoing Women's World Cup 2025. On Thursday, October 23, the Women in Blue will face New Zealand in a must-win clash at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. Ahead of the high-stakes encounter, India's head coach Amol Muzumdar stood up for batter Pratika Rawal and Harleen Deol, who have coped with backlash from the fans because of their strike rates.
Rawal and Deol have been among the runs, but they are
only striking at 70.99 and 75.11, respectively, in the eight-team tournament. However, Muzumdar said that there hasn't been any discussion with the two players regarding their strike rates, and the team management is content with how they are playing.
"I mean, if you look at Pratika Rawal's progression from last December when she made her debut in international cricket, she averages around 50 and her strike rate is around 82, 83, if I'm not wrong. I think that's fantastic and we would like her to continue the way she bats, and the entire team is behind her and Harleen as well. And, you know, I don't think any discussion has happened over on that particular subject," said Muzumdar while answering a question from India Today during the pre-match press conference.
Muzumdar highlighted Rawal's excellent start to international cricket and said that he was surprised to find her at the receiving end of criticism.
"I don't know why this is coming up. She's been fantastic with the group. She's taken to international cricket as fish to water, so, we back her wholeheartedly," said Muzumdar.
Rawal is the second-highest run-getter for India so far in the campaign. She has scored 186 runs from five matches at an average of 37.20. On the other hand, Deol has aggregated 169 runs from five matches at an average of 33.80.
New Zealand have lost two matches and won one so far in the tournament. Their last two matches have been washed out. Both India and New Zealand have four points from five games so far, making Thursday's encounter a highly-anticipated affair.
