October 26, 2025

NAVI MUMBAI: Delhi has a proud home of cricketing legends like Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir. Now, a new star shines bright — 25-year-old Pratika Rawal. Once doubted after being picked over the explosive Shafali Verma, Rawal has crushed all doubts with amazing consistency. She has scored 1,110 runs in 23 WODIs at a fantastic average of 50.45, including seven fifties and two hundreds. In the 2025 Women’s World Cup, Rawal is India’s second-best run-scorer after Smriti Mandhana. She has gathered 308 runs in six matches at an impressive average of 51.33. The magic moment came at the DY Patil Stadium when Rawal and Mandhana put on a dazzling 212-run partnership, the highest ever for India in a World Cup for any wicket! Their partnership powered India to a giant total of 340/3, the top score of the tournament, leading to a solid 55-run (DLS) win over New Zealand and a ticket to the semifinals. Since their first opening together last December against West Indies, this pair has smashed 1,799 runs over 23 innings, making seven century stands — five of these are in 2025 alone. No other women’s opening duo in the cricket world has matched their power. About this sparkling partnership, Rawal said, "Smriti lets me do what I do best and I don’t interfere in what she does best. Our conversations are mostly about calculations — how to set up or chase a total. We like to keep it simple. It’s an amazing partnership." India’s head coach, Amol Muzumdar, praised her by saying she has “taken to international cricket like fish to water.” Rawal too humbly said it’s no easy feat: "It may look easy, but it’s the result of countless hours of hard work and discussions with the coaches." Former India captain Anjum Chopra also hailed her rise: "She’s made a wonderful start. I hope it’s a long and successful journey for her and for India." The day of her century was even more special as her father, Pradeep Rawal, a BCCI Level-II umpire, cheered from the stands. "He’s been there for every international match I’ve played. Scoring a ton in front of him, for India, means everything," she said. Her childhood coach Vinod Matta shared, "Even at 19, she was confidently facing boys’ bowling. She’s disciplined, patient, and a fast learner. That’s why she’s reached this level." Matta added, "She can bowl too — as you saw with 1/19 in four overs. She’s a complete cricketer who can serve India for years." Though some critics say she starts slowly, Muzumdar defended her: "We want her to continue playing her way. She’s been fantastic." Rawal tackled this with full maturity: "Yes, I struggled early on but focused on staying calm and contributing to the team. My discussions with the coaches are about how best I can help the team." Rawal also thanked Jemimah Rodrigues, who blasted a quick 76 not out to give the team a final push. "Jemi gave us the final push. Being the home girl, she knew the conditions perfectly," Rawal said. Behind her calm outside lies a fierce competitor. Her teammates say she is the hardest worker — always the first to net and last to leave. Her sharp game sense and reading of bowlers have made team management see her as a key rock at the top of the order for many years to come. With the World Cup semifinal on the horizon, the heat is on like never before. If Mandhana and Rawal keep firing, India just might finally lift the trophy. For a girl who dreamed of wearing the blue jersey at school in Delhi, the journey is full circle—but Pratika Rawal’s story has just begun!

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Tags: Pratika rawal, Women's cricket, India women cricket team, 2025 women’s world cup, Smriti mandhana, Cricket partnership,