Pratika Rawal: The Fresh Face Redefining Indian Women’s Cricket With a Record-Breaking 154
An Unflinching Start: Early Life and Cricketing Roots
Some players just have that unmistakable spark. Pratika Rawal, born and raised in Delhi, caught that cricket fever pretty early thanks to an unusual household—her father was a respected BCCI umpire. This meant cricket wasn’t just a background hum; it was the main tune at home. By age nine, she was already swinging bats at Rohtak Road Gymkhana Cricket Academy, soaking up every lesson under the tough but supportive coach Shravan Kumar. If the name rings a bell, it’s because Kumar also guided none other than Ishant Sharma, the Indian pace spearhead.
What sets Pratika apart isn’t just her dedication to the game. Her willingness to blend academics with sports, juggling lessons at Modern School with relentless cricket practice, shows a level of maturity not everyone manages at that age. While most teenagers find it tough to keep up with regular homework, Pratika was making space in her schedule for net sessions and travelling tournaments. Not many can say they started off in an academy packed with future stars and managed to stand out.
Finding Her Footing: Railways, Mentorship, and an Explosive Breakthrough
Things really shifted into high gear for Pratika when she made the decision to play for the Railways cricket team. If you know Indian women’s cricket, you know that Railways is more than just another employer—it’s a powerhouse nurturing some of the country’s best talent. Joining Railways didn’t just give Pratika a steady job; it handed her the flexibility and support structure that only a handful of institutions offer female cricketers.
The results speak for themselves. In late 2024, she finally got that coveted call-up to the Indian national side for an ODI series against West Indies. Debuting is nerve-wracking for anyone, but she wasted no time making her presence felt: 40 vital runs with the bat and, more impressively, the wicket of Hayley Matthews, a firm fixture in international cricket. It was the kind of bold all-round showing that coaches and selectors drool over.
But it was her match against Ireland where Pratika really etched her name into record books. Smashing an astonishing 154 runs in a single ODI, she didn’t just notch her first ODI century—she made sure everyone remembered her name. That knock sent a strong message to both critics and supporters: here’s a batter who blends technical skill with raw fearlessness. Coaches from her Delhi days, especially Deepti Dhyani from her Under-23 stint, have often pointed out how she approaches the mental game just as seriously as the physical. Pratika actively studies psychology and human behavior to improve her performance, something rare even among established stars.
By the numbers, Pratika’s stats underline her impact: 674 runs across 12 ODIs, clocking an average of 61.27. Alongside her massive century, she’s stacked up five gritty half-centuries, only adding to her reputation as one of the most reliable young batswomen in the game right now.
Her journey is a classic tale of hard work matched with the right guidance. As coaches often remind her, she’s nowhere near her limits yet. Watching Pratika Rawal carve up bowling attacks, it’s clear Indian women’s cricket just got a new game-changer—and she’s only getting started.