New Delhi: As the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup India 2025 draws near India opener Pratika Rawal spoke candidly on JioHotstar’s special show Off the Pitch discussing her mindset her partnership and rapport with vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and how she manages to balance academics with cricket. Speaking on JioHotstar’s show Off the Pitch Pratika Rawal spoke about her mental conditioning and outlook 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. Pratika on her bond with Smriti Mandhana Pratika also opened up on her understanding with Smriti Mandhana and said I think it’s quite easy and quite natural. 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 though we’d call ourselves more ambiverts. Because of that we don’t need to put in extra effort to connect we already understand each other. On the field the only focus is the next ball and everything else follows step by step. I enjoy batting with her more than she enjoys batting with me so it’s always great especially the way she plays and takes on every ball. Its just so amazing to see. she said Pratika also reflected on responsibility and leadership While talking about responsibility and leadership Pratika said As a kid I always loved taking up responsibilities and enjoyed being a leader in school. I always wanted to be the class monitor. Even though I wasn’t a front bencherI used to sit at the back and I consistently topped the exams. My teachers were very supportive and never put pressure on me which allowed me to grow in my own way. From the beginning I enjoyed leadership roles and taking responsibility. Even now I see this responsibility as a privilege. It motivates me to become the best version of myself. As a young cricketer who has just started playing for India it feels special that the whole country has faith in me to deliver at this stage. Pratika revealed her parents are not very expressive While answering the question related to  World Cup selection and family’s reaction Pratika said revealed her parents are not very expressive My mom and dad are not very expressive. They don’t show emotions openly but I know they feel a lot. When my name was announced at the press conference I was at home with my brother while my parents were out. I went to my brothers room and told him Say congratulations to me. He asked why and I said I got selected for the World Cup. His reaction was just That’s it? Good for you yaar. Later I called my mom and told her and she simply said ‘It’s a very good thing very good.’ They play it subtle but I can feel their pride. Even my coach told me that my mom has had a different smile on her face for days. They may not show it directly but I know they are very happy. added Pratika Pratikha opened up on how she balances academics and cricket together Pratika while talking about academics and family expectations said there was always pressure from her family to focus on studies 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. I remember in the 12th standard my mom told me I had to score at least 90% otherwise I would have to leave cricket. Even my grandparents felt it was a matter of pride that I do well in studies because it runs in the family. In that way I was groomed to take academics seriously. I won’t say it was forced I actually enjoyed it too. Story Highlight India opener Pratika Rawal spoke candidly on JioHotstar’s special show Off the Pitch discussing her mindset her partnership and rapport with vice-captain Smriti Mandhana Pratika also opened up on her understanding with Smriti Mandhana and said we both are introverts and we don’t need to put in extra effort to connect we already understand each other. While answering the question related to  World Cup selection and family’s reaction Pratika said revealed her parents are not very expressive Pratika revealed that everyone in her family is an engineer businessman or lawyer so there was always pressure on her to focus on her studies.