![\"Century-maker](\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/theme\/images\/th-online\/1x1_spacer.png\" "\\"Century-maker")
<\/picture><\/div>\nWho will open with Smriti Mandhana? This was the big question on the lips of those watching as India set out to chase 198 in the first ODI against Zimbabwe here on Friday.<\/p>\n
Smriti, recently appointed full-time skipper, opted to open with Pratika Rawal, sending Shafali Verma to number 3, a spot usually occupied by Jemimah Rodrigues, who is missing due to injury.<\/p>\n
The results will have no one complaining, though, with Pratika scoring a solid century and Shafali blitzing away to a half-century, securing a simple win for India in the process.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore going in to bat, I saw highlights on the TV of the game against New Zealand (from the 2025 World Cup), and I thought that was the game where I scored my last hundred,\u201d Pratika said after the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood to be back in the room, always good to score runs and contribute to a team\u2019s victory by batting as long as I can. It was one of those days when the ball went where I wanted it to. Luckily, it turned out really good today,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
Happy to learn<\/h4>\n
Shafali, barely made for the slow-steady mode, was aware of the limitations of the no.3 role.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, I didn\u2019t get that 10 over PowerPlay with just two fielders outside. I just tried to take the singles and I will learn these things. ODIs are testing my patience, but I am really happy to learn,\u201d she quipped.<\/p>\n
The win was set up by N. Sree Charani\u2019s career-best figures of four for 23, which included three maiden overs on a pitch that didn\u2019t have much turn for the tweakers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI bowled to my strengths. I just focused on my lengths. In our bowling meetings before every game, we work on sticking to the channel and on attacking the stumps. We did that today,\u201d the 22-year-old said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n