Watching your team win a World Cup from the sidelines isn’t easy, especially when you’ve been a key contributor throughout the tournament. But Pratika Rawal handled it with remarkable composure, even joining India’s celebrations in a wheelchair after their victory against South Africa.
The young opener had been in stellar form before disaster struck during India’s last league match against Bangladesh. A fielding mishap left her with ankle and knee injuries serious enough to rule her out of the knockout stages. She’d scored 308 runs by then, sitting fourth among the tournament’s top run-scorers behind Laura Wolvaardt, Smriti Mandhana and Ashleigh Gardner.
Missing the semi-final and final hurt, but Rawal found an unexpected source of comfort in her academic background.
As someone who’s studied psychology, it really helped me understand my own emotions better,” she explained. “The first thing is accepting what happened. You can’t change it so why waste energy fighting reality?”
Her approach to the setback reveals maturity beyond her years. Instead of dwelling on disappointment, she focused on recovery basics proper sleep, nutrition and supporting her teammates from wherever she could. “There was disappointment, yes, but no breakdown,” she said matter-of-factly.
Interestingly, her father struggled more with the injury than she did.
I don’t show emotions easily but my dad cried a lot. I actually had to calm him down”
Rawal recalled with a slight smile.
Her conversation with replacement opener Shafali Verma before the final has since become part of World Cup folklore. Shafali approached her apologizing that Rawal couldn’t play but the injured opener had other thoughts.
I told her these things happen in cricket. But I had this feeling she’d do something special that day” Rawal revealed.
She wasn’t wrong. Shafali smashed 87 runs and grabbed two wickets, earning Player of the Match honors as India clinched their third World Cup title.
There was also some confusion about Rawal’s medal. She initially didn’t receive one since she was ruled out before the knockout games. A support staff member lent her their medal temporarily, which sparked online discussions.
Jay Shah sir has sent me one now” she confirmed. “People made a big deal online but it’s sorted.”
Recovery is progressing well. Rawal’s doing light mobility work and expects clearance from doctors soon.
I miss holding the bat” she admitted. “I’m someone who can bat all day without getting tired. I want to get back to that zone.”
Her numbers justify the eagerness 1110 runs in just 24 ODIs at an average of 50.45 with two centuries and seven fifties since her 2024 debut. Some critics have questioned her strike rate but Rawal doesn’t buy into fixed roles at the top of the order.
“Every match demands something different” she explained. “If Smriti gets out early, I anchor. If we need quick runs, I accelerate. It’s never about personal milestones it’s about team rhythm.”
For now, she’s focused on proper rehabilitation before the domestic season returns. No shortcuts no rushing. Just steady progress back to full fitness and the opening position she’s made her own.
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