Pratika Rawal was born on September 1, 2000, in Delhi. At a very young age, she has swiftly made a mark as one of the most promising future players in women’s cricket. Fans have not yet forgotten her impeccable performance in her sixth One Day International, where she smashed a maiden century of 154 runs off 124 balls against Ireland. The star cricketer’s numbers have only continued to rise ever since, earning her a place among the top players in the women’s cricket world. However, Pratika has not only excelled in her role in the field, but she has also been a star student, with an impeccable academic record.
Pratika Rawal beautifully balanced sports and studies, representing her school in basketball and winning gold at the 64th School National Games in 2019. She was coached at Rohtak Road Gymkhana by Sharvan Kumar in her early years, and her dream to become a cricketer was supported by her father, Pradeep Rawal, a BCCI Level-II umpire. The rising star has created a space for herself with both temperament and technique. After consistent domestic performances for Delhi and then Railways, she made her debut in the Indian women’s cricket team in December 2024 and has been showing great mental strength and physical skills.
Pratika Rawal’s early life and academic foundation
Pratika Rawal was born and raised in Delhi. Her early life was a perfect balance of strong academics and sports. The rising star aced her class 12 CBSE boards with an impressive score of 92.5 per cent from Modern School, Barakhamba Road. She later earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Jesus and Mary College, New Delhi. However, Pratika found her calling in sports.
As a young girl, Pratika Rawal played basketball for Bal Bharati School in Rajender Nagar, claiming gold at the 64th School National Games in January 2019. Leading a life of focus and ambition taught her discipline and a strong work ethic. Her understanding of psychological insight further helped her not just in life but also in the field, and Pratika herself credits it with helping her composure on the cricket field.
Pratika Rawal’s domestic career and rise as a leader
Pratika Rawal’s skills in domestic cricket started to draw attention in 2021 when she was playing for Delhi. The young star had an unbeaten record of 165 off 155 balls against Assam during the game, held at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun. According to Cricket.com, with her determination and skill, she amassed the immaculate score of 247 runs in her debut List-A season with an average of almost 49.5.
Over the subsequent season, Pratika Rawal continued to grow, scoring 552 runs in 2022-23 across fourteen matches, including five half-centuries. She also scored 411 runs in 2022-23, with two centuries and two fifties, at a strike rate above 90. According to a report by Cricket Times, Pratika also captained Delhi in the Under-23 T20 Trophy in 2024, leading them to the final, showing leadership qualities early.
Pratika Rawal’s international career
Pratika Rawal has an outstanding domestic career. However, her international breakthrough was no less. The star player made her international debut for the Indian women’s team on December 22, 2024, in an ODI against the West Indies. Her selection marked her place in the books as the 150th woman to represent India in ODIs.
According to India Today, Pratika scored 40 runs in her debut match and shared an opening partnership of 110 runs with Smriti Mandhana. She also took her maiden ODI wicket of West Indies captain, Hayley Matthews, in the same match. The second game of the tournament reinforced that she was more than just an average player, as she brought in a striking fifty.
Over the past year, Pratika Rawal has built a reputation for herself. However, she has a solid record to back it. She made history with her 154 runs score off 129 balls against Ireland during the third ODI in January 2025. She is not just an individual striker, but also forms a great partnership with Smriti Mandhana, which she proved in the match by contributing a massive 289 runs to India’s total of 435.
Pratika Rawal’s cricket records and psychological edge
Pratika Rawal has also set a few records in less than a year with the international team, including being the fastest Indian woman to reach 500 ODI runs (in terms of innings) and the player with the most runs after the first six ODIs among women, surpassing Charlotte Edwards’ longstanding mark. Pratika has a solid technique, patience, and the ability to shift gears from a steady start to accelerate when the situation demands it. However, Pratika claims that what perhaps distinguishes her from many newcomers is her academic background in psychology.
Pratika Rawal has spoken about how understanding mental processes helps her cope with pressure, as well as make informed decisions on and off the field. Nonetheless, despite a stellar start, several hurdles lie ahead for the star player. From maintaining consistency, earning a place in the Women’s Premier League, to being able to adapt to different playing conditions, there will be a lot expected from the 25-year-old. However, the fans are confident that she will excel on the journey and make India proud.
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