At the International Invitation Relay Competition, India’s sprint programme took an important step forward as a record-breaking run in the mixed 4x100m relay strengthened the national team’s chances of qualifying for the World Athletics Relays in Botswana.The meet came at a crucial stage of the qualification cycle, with the Indian teams needing strong timings to break into the top 24 in world rankings. The performances here on Saturday pushed India firmly into that bracket, keeping them in contention for a place on the global stage.The quartet of Lalu Prasad, Unnathi Aiyappa, Harita Batra and Jayaram clocked 42.30 seconds, setting a new national record. The run, built on clean baton exchanges and composure under pressure, stood out as one of the most complete relay performances by an Indian team in recent times.The timing not only lifted India into the qualification zone but also reflected the growing depth in the relay setup, where execution is beginning to match individual speed.Speaking after the race, Batra said the team relied more on trust than preparation. “Honestly, I just trusted in our team, and I didn’t think about the pressure. I was just running and doing the best job I could do. And then, in the end, we would see what the result was — and that just worked well,” she said.Along with teammate Aiyappa, she revealed that the team had trained together for just a day before the race. “We only practised for one day, and we didn’t know how our exchange would be, so we just trusted each other and just went for it,” Batra said.That context adds another layer to the performance. Relay races are often decided by timing and coordination rather than outright pace, and to produce a national record under such circumstances points to a system that is beginning to adapt quickly.The focus now shifts to the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, for which the final qualification will be confirmed after the ranking window closes. The event also forms a part of the larger build-up towards the Asian Games.While team combinations for future competitions are yet to be finalised, the intent within the group is clear. “If we go to the World Relays, then yeah, we aim for a medal,” Batra said, looking ahead to the next challenge.For Batra, the ambitions extend beyond the relay. “My personal goal is getting selected for an individual event at the Asian Games, in the 100m or 200m, and being on the podium,” she said.The performance in Chandigarh will be remembered for the record, but it also signals a broader shift.