The world of Crickets has seen the rise of a new star in Indian women's cricket and Pratika Rawal making his One Day International (ODI) debut against a West Indies on December 22, 2024. He got off to a good start with 40 hits in his first game. However, Pratika showed her immense talent and class in the next ODI. He scored an innings best of 76 runs from 86 games, including four fours and a six. Let's take a deeper look at who Pratika is, her journey, and what she brings to the Indian team.
The first life is education
Born on September 1, 2000, in Delhi, Pratika is not a cricketer but a versatile person. He excelled academically, scoring 92.5% in his CBSE Class 12 exams in 2019, before graduating from Delhi University to study psychology. His studies show him as an athlete, combining studies with his cricket goals.
Cricketing tour
Pratika's love for cricket started at the tender age of ten. Encouraged by his father, Pradeep Rawalwho is a BCCI-certified Level-II umpire and Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA)started his cricket journey. He first played basketball, until he won a gold medal at the 64th School National Games in Delhi in January 2019, before fully dedicating himself to cricket.
- Homework: Pratika has been a consistent performer at home, representing Delhi. He was the second highest scorer in the recent league One Day Cup for Older Womenamassing 411 runs in eight matches at an impressive average of 68.50, including two centuries and a top score of 141.
- Leadership and development: Beyond her batting skills, Pratika has shown leadership, leading Delhi in the 2024 Under-23 T20 Trophy, leading her team to the final. His growth as a player has been noticed by his coaches, and his flexibility and maturity have been praised.
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International debut for Team India
On December 22, 2024, Pratika became the 150th player to represent India Women in ODIs. His debut was very successful; joined him Smriti Mandhana creating a partnership of 100 runs, making them only the third two Indian openers to achieve this feat by an opener. Although he scored 40 runs in his first match, his composure and skill were evident, showing his potential in the international game.
The style of the game is the power
Pratika is a right-handed batsman who is known for her strong skills and tenacity at the crease. His scoring rate is consistently high in domestic cricket and a strike rate of 75.58 in his List-A career shows that he can adapt to the game's environment. Additionally, he bowls right-arm, adding depth to India's bowling.
Hope for future despite WPL snub
Although he was not sold in the WPL 2025 auction with a starting price of INR 10 lakh, his performance in international cricket could change the story. With India looking to build a strong team for the future, Pratika's inclusion seems like the right move, offering depth and the promise of a bright future.
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This article was originally published on WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.