Pratika Rawal: Embracing Growth Over Fear and the Journey to World Cup Victory

Pratika Rawal has always been the architect of her own journey.

From favoring cricket over basketball at 16 and establishing herself as an opening batter for India, the 25-year-old relishes the ability to control her surroundings, down to every detail.

Since her international debut against West Indies last December, Pratika has rapidly made her mark in the record books, amassing 1000 ODI runs at a record pace, tying with Australia’s Lindsay Reeler as the fastest in the women’s game (23 innings).

The partnership between Pratika and Smriti Mandhana stands out in the 50-over format, ranking as the fifth most prolific duo in the women’s game with 1799 runs in just 23 innings. They boast the highest average among the top five pairs, which include South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt-Lizelle Lee and Australia’s Rachael Haynes-Alyssa Healy, with an impressive 78.21.

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On the Rise

For them, the World Cup was not entirely up to their standards, as Pratika had to shoulder much responsibility following Smriti’s early dismissals in five of the six innings she played. However, a match-winning 122 against New Zealand ensured India’s spot in the knockouts. It was a 170-minute masterclass that the ICC digital team highlighted in reels and clips.

Life was progressing well until a fall on a wet outfield in Navi Mumbai during India’s last league match led to a fractured ankle.

“I usually don’t show much emotion,” Pratika shared with Sportstar, resting at home with her foot elevated. “But I screamed that day. Harleen Deol, at long-on, immediately realized something was wrong. Despite the pain, I disliked going off on a stretcher, so I walked back to the dressing room, more concerned about when I could bat next.”

She wouldn’t take the field for the rest of the World Cup, leaving her dreams unfulfilled.

“Such incidents can happen to any player. It’s part of the sport. The only thing I could control was how I nursed my ankle back to health. I started calculating my return to the field. While I stayed calm, my dad was more emotional about it all, and I had to console him.”

When India finally triumphed over South Africa to win its first World Cup, Smriti made sure Pratika was included in the celebration. She was wheeled into the celebration zone, even helped on her feet for some bhangra. Although she was proud, there was no room for regret for not being part of the summit clash.

“I’ve inherited my practical side from my mother (Rajni). My coach, Deepti Dhyani, similarly guides me to trust in the larger plan. When you hear that repeatedly, you don’t feel like you’ve missed much. What’s next will surely be more rewarding.”

That foresight stems from the early struggles and tough choices she had to make.

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Early Rebellion Lessons

She was the first girl for cricket coaching under Shravan Kumar at Rohtak Road Gymkhana. Initially sporty, handling athletics, basketball, and cricket along with her studies, she joined the Under-19 setup at 12. Excelling at age-group and domestic levels, Pratika eventually had to focus on cricket to improve her performance.

“Balancing morning basketball and evening cricket practices with studies was tough. During one U-19 domestic season, I performed poorly. Playing a match in Guntur, I realized that if I wanted to reach the highest level, I needed to focus on one sport. At 16, I made that decision.”

Describing her past rebellion, Pratika admits to being a handful during her teenage years, recalling a phase where she lost control of her diet and discipline.

“As a teen, you often defy your parents. Listening to their advice was tough. There was a time when I wasn’t selected for a National basketball team, which broke my heart. My parents highlighted the vast opportunities out there and inspired me to keep perspective. It became my life mantra.”

Known for her hard work, guided by her father, Pradeep, Pratika trained intensively during the pandemic in makeshift nets on their terrace, bonding over light-hearted bets.

The 2017 Women’s World Cup intensified her family’s belief in her cricketing future, and seven years later, when she joined the Indian team, she realized she could be herself, easing into the team environment.

Focused Approach

Pratika flourished, unfazed by comparisons to Shafali Verma’s style, and embraced her unique play, encouraged by Smriti and the coaches.

“On the field, my entire focus is on the game. I don’t allow distractions. My ultimate ambition is to progress. The academic side of psychology helps me understand and manage emotions, an advantage in high-pressure situations,” she reveals.

Despite her recovery phase, she stays optimistic, emphasizing growth over stagnation.

A Time to Celebrate

With a dynamic routine despite her injury, Pratika reflects on India’s World Cup win, sharing her family’s pride and joy on that unforgettable night.

“My parents’ pride overflowed, especially my mom, who stayed up late in celebration. Her emotions and pride mirrored my achievements,” Pratika recalls.

Maintaining humility, her support system balances praise with reminders of future goals. While she shies away from tattoos due to a fear of needles, she records her ambitions in a diary. Winning the World Cup? Just the start of many future accomplishments for this ambitious cricketer.

Published on Nov 19, 2025