Since replacing Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal has had a dream run for the Indian team. The 24-year-old has become a strong contender to be Smriti Mandhana's opening partner when India play in the ODI World Cup later this year on home soil.

On Sunday, April 27, Pratika played a crucial hand in India's opening game in the tri-series in Sri Lanka.

Pratika won the Player of the Match award as at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Pratika scored an unbeaten 50 off 62 balls, decorated with seven fours, as India chased down 148 with 56 balls to spare in the rain-curtailed 39-over match.

She put on 54 runs for the opening wicket with Mandhana, after which her unbeaten 95-run stand with Harleen Deol took India past the finish line. The Delhi youngster said that the hard yards she has put in over the years have started to pay dividends.

"It's years of hard work that's coming into place now. I'm very lucky, very fortunate I got this opportunity. I'm just trying to play on the merit of the ball, nothing more goes into my mind. I'm very lucky that I have a partner like Smriti, who just makes the game so easy and I just have to play the ball according to merit. It makes my job very easy," Pratika said.

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Pratika taking responsibility

In seven ODIs since debuting last year in the home series against West Indies, Pratika has racked up 494 runs at an average of 82.33 with a earlier this year in January.

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was delighted with Pratika's progress. The captain was happy with how Pratika is putting forth her A-game for the Women in Blue.

"She has been really great for us, and last few games she's shown us that she's taking that responsibility. Every match she's playing a special knock and really happy to see her best is coming for the team," Harmanpreet said.

Pratika will look to reach the 500-run landmark and continue her stupendous form when India face Laura Wolvaardt's South Africa on Tuesday, April 29 in Colombo.