Indian women’s cricket opener Pratika Rawal has opened up about the mental frameworks that guide her performance as the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup India 2025 approaches. The 25-year-old, a psychology graduate, emphasized the role of visualization in her preparation. Recently she had interaction with JioHotstar's Off the Pitch where she said, “I do have a mindset. I have visualized it a lot, and visualization is something that comes from psychology. I have thought deeply about myself, about how I need to progress. Of course, there are team meetings and different strategies, but beyond personal goals, I value team goals more. If I can be an asset to the team, I believe that’s the greatest contribution I can make.” Rawal also spoke of balancing cricket with academics, citing family expectations. She explained, “I come from a family where everyone is either an engineer, a businessman, or a lawyer. Most of my cousins are lawyers, and my brother is pursuing engineering. So, there was always pressure from my family to focus on studies, no matter what." Read also: Robin Uthappa Refused MI-to-RCB Transfer in IPL 2009 Natural Understanding with Smriti Mandhana, Leadership Roots The opener highlighted her intuitive connection with deputy skipper and opening partner Smriti Mandhana. She said, “We don’t have to talk much between innings, she does what she does best, and I do what I do best. There’s an understanding between us that feels natural, not made up. Even off the field, she is an introvert and so am I…we already understand each other.” Rawal discussed her penchant for responsibility and leadership since childhood. “As a kid, I always loved taking up responsibilities and enjoyed being a leader in school. From the beginning, I enjoyed leadership roles and taking responsibility. Even now, I see this responsibility as a privilege.” She reflected on her family’s subtle pride upon her World Cup selection. Rawal said, “My mom and dad are not very expressive. They don’t show emotions openly, but I know they feel a lot…They may not show it directly, but I know they are very happy." Rawal’s insights illuminate both her methodical preparation and her grounding in family and team dynamics, emphasizing how mental discipline, natural partnerships, and personal responsibility shape her approach to elite cricket.