Between the second ODI Indian Women and Australian Women at Blundstone Arena Hobart It was a dramatic and disappointing turnaround for the visitors on Friday. After a promising start to level the series, the Women in Blue are rocked after a catastrophic brain fade involving a certain batter. Pratika Rawal and captain Harmanpreet Kaur. What was supposed to be a foundational run ended in a chaotic run that swung the momentum completely in favor of the clinical Australians.
Pratika Rawal’s costly mess ends with her dismissal in the 2nd ODI
The defining moment of the Indian innings came in the 23rd over. Rawal, the backbone of the top order, had just reached a well-constructed half-century. He looked comfortable against his spin Alan Kingbut pressure from Australia’s pitch eventually led to a fatal error in decision.
At 22.2, King bowled one over the stumps. Rawal drove the ball firmly towards mid off and immediately sprinted down the pitch with confidence to call for a single. However, at the non-striker’s end, Harmanpreet stuck to his crease, turning his back on the game after deciding that running out was too risky.
He was three-quarters of the way through when Rawal realized there was no communication. Raval, who had no hope of returning, did not even attempt a desperate dive; just watched Annabel Sutherland collected the ball cleanly and shot Beth Mooneywho was whipped off the bail. Rawal departed for 81 off 52 balls, an innings studded with six boundaries that deserved a more fitting end.
We present the video:
The stuff of nightmares!
Pratika Rawal was set on 52 before this horror ran out. #AUSWIND pic.twitter.com/SyWsDmXFS0
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 27, 2026
Also READ: Australian skipper Sophie Molineux is not playing in today’s AUS-W vs IND-W 2nd ODI.
A middle-order collapse leaves India struggling for a total battle against Australia
Rawal’s dismissal was the catalyst for the collapse of a significant innings. India had started steadily with Rawal and Smriti Mandhana (31) Laying a 78-run opening stand. But once cleared by Mandhana Ashley Gardnerthe floodgates opened.
India found themselves at 191/6 in the 43rd over. With Harmanpreet not out on 35, the lack of support and the psychological blow of the Rawal race meant India struggled to produce a competitive result on the more demanding Hobart surface. Brainfade didn’t just cost a door; It cost India a chance to put the world champions under real scoreboard pressure.
This article was originally published here WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.
