AUS-W vs IND-W [WATCH]: Well settled Pratika Rawal’s brain fade moment results in her run-out during 2nd ODI

The second ODI between India Women and Australia Women at the Blundstone Arena in Hobart took a dramatic and disappointing turn for the visitors on Friday. After a promising start in their quest to level the series, the Women in Blue were left reeling following a disastrous brain fade involving set batter Pratika Rawal and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur. What should have been a foundation-building knock ended in a chaotic run-out that shifted the momentum entirely in favour of the clinical Australians.

Pratika Rawal’s costly mix-up ends in her run-out dismissal in 2nd ODI

The defining moment of the Indian innings occurred in the 23rd over. Rawal, who had been the backbone of the top order, had just reached a well-constructed half-century. She looked comfortable against the spin of Alana King, but the pressure of the Australian fielding eventually forced a fatal error in judgment.

At 22.2 overs, King tossed one up on off-stump. Rawal drove the ball firmly toward mid-on and immediately called for a single, sprinting down the pitch with conviction. However, at the non-striker’s end, Harmanpreet remained rooted to her crease, turning her back on the play after deciding the run was too risky.

By the time Rawal realized the lack of communication, she was three-quarters of the way down the track. With no hope of returning, Rawal didn’t even attempt a desperate dive; she simply watched as Annabel Sutherland gathered the ball cleanly and fired it to Beth Mooney, who whipped off the bails. Rawal departed for 52 off 81 balls, an innings decorated with six boundaries that deserved a much more dignified end.

Here’s the video:

The stuff of nightmares!

Pratika Rawal was set on 52 before this horror run out. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/SyWsDmXFS0

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 27, 2026

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Middle-order collapse leaves India scrambling for a fighting total against Australia

Rawal’s dismissal was the catalyst for a significant batting collapse. India had started steadily, with Rawal and Smriti Mandhana (31) putting on a 78-run opening stand. However, once Mandhana was cleaned up by Ashleigh Gardner, the floodgates opened.

By the 43rd over, India found themselves at 191/6. While Harmanpreet remained unbeaten on 35, the lack of support and the psychological blow of the Rawal run-out meant India struggled to reach a competitive total on a Hobart surface that demanded more. The brainfade didn’t just cost a wicket; it cost India the chance to put the world champions under genuine scoreboard pressure.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.