As the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 approaches, India's opening batter, Pratika Rawal, is gearing up for her debut on the grandest stage. The 25-year-old is approaching the tournament with a blend of quiet confidence, introspection, and a strong sense of responsibility. Rawal, who made her ODI debut in December 2024, has quickly become a vital part of the Indian team.
Rawal emphasizes the importance of team goals above personal achievements. She believes that contributing to the team's success is the most significant contribution she can make. This team-first mentality aligns with her natural inclination towards leadership roles, a trait she has exhibited since her school days.
Rawal has formed a formidable opening partnership with Smriti Mandhana. Their chemistry at the crease is based on a natural understanding, which allows them to complement each other's strengths without excessive communication. Rawal admires Mandhana's aggressive approach and enjoys batting alongside her. They have broken records and set the stage on fire with their impressive performances, which includes a record-breaking 958 partnership runs in 2025. This surpasses the previous record of 905 runs set by Belinda Clark and Lisa Keightley in 2000.
Despite the pressure of the World Cup, Rawal remains grounded, a quality she attributes to her upbringing. She acknowledges the significance of the occasion and her family's quiet pride in her achievements. While her family might not express their emotions overtly, Rawal senses their support and happiness.
India is co-hosting the 2025 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, marking the fourth time the nation has hosted the event. With the advantage of playing on home soil, the Indian team is eager to capitalize on the opportunity. The tournament is scheduled to run from September 30 to November 2, 2025. India will begin their World Cup campaign on September 30 against Sri Lanka in Guwahati.
Rawal's journey to the Indian team is a story of talent, discipline, and self-belief. A psychology graduate and former basketball player, she transitioned to cricket and quickly rose through the ranks. Her consistent performances and ability to score runs have made her an indispensable part of the team's top order. This rise coincided with the omission of Shafali Verma, allowing Rawal to solidify her place as Mandhana's opening partner. Since her debut, Rawal has scored 767 runs in 15 ODIs, with an impressive average of 54.78.
Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian captain, has emphasized Rawal's importance to the team, praising her talent, confidence, and stability. Kaur believes that Rawal's consistent performances will be crucial to India's success.
As Rawal prepares for her World Cup debut, she carries the hopes of millions of fans. Her team-first mindset, strong partnership with Mandhana, and unwavering determination make her a key player to watch in the tournament.
