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Pratika Rawal Biography : Early Life and Formative Years
Pratika Rawal Biography : Born on September 1, 2000, Pratika Rawal’s journey to becoming an Indian cricketer is nothing short of inspiring. Hailing from Prem Nagar in Haryana, she exhibited extraordinary talent and resilience from an early age. She pursued her schooling at the prestigious Modern School, Barakhamba Road, and later earned a degree in psychology from Jesus & Mary College, New Delhi. Excelling academically, she achieved an impressive 92.5% in her CBSE 12th board examinations, a feat that reflected her dedication both on and off the field.
Pratika Rawal Biography ; Pratika’s athleticism extended beyond cricket; she was an accomplished basketball player who won a gold medal at the 64th School National Games in Delhi in January 2019, representing Bal Bharati School, Rajender Nagar. This dual aptitude underscored her competitive spirit and versatility.
Her father, Pradeep Rawal, a BCCI-certified Level-II umpire with the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA), introduced her to cricket at the tender age of ten. She began training under coach Sharvan Kumar at the Rohtak Road Gymkhana Cricket Academy, where her raw potential began to blossom. Subsequently, she honed her skills under the guidance of former cricketer Dipti Dhyani and Delhi women’s team coach Dishant Yagnik, laying a strong foundation for her burgeoning career.
Domestic Career: A Journey of Ascendancy
Pratika’s domestic career began with a flourish when she represented Delhi from 2021 to early 2024. Her List A debut came against Jharkhand on October 31, 2021, during the 2021–22 Senior Women’s One Day Trophy. She showcased her prowess with the bat by scoring an unbeaten 161 off 155 balls against Assam. Across seven matches in that season, she accumulated an impressive 247 runs at an average of 49.40 and a strike rate of 78.41.
Pratika Rawal Biography ; Her Twenty20 debut for Delhi took place on April 21, 2022, against Railways during the 2021–22 Senior Women’s T20 Trophy. The subsequent years saw her consistently elevate her game. In the 2023–24 Senior Women’s One Day Trophy, she amassed 411 runs in eight matches, boasting a remarkable average of 68.50 and a strike rate of 91.94. Her innings included two centuries, with a top score of 141, a testament to her adaptability and temperament under pressure.
Pratika also played for the East Delhi Riders in the 2024 Women’s Delhi Premier League, further solidifying her reputation as a dependable player. That year, she captained the Delhi team to the finals of the 2024 Under-23 T20 Trophy, emerging as the second-highest run-scorer with 182 runs in nine matches. Her average of 26 and strike rate of 85.94 showcased her ability to anchor innings and accelerate when required.
In April 2024, she made her first-class debut, representing North Zone against East Zone in the Senior Women’s Inter Zonal Multi-Day Trophy. This marked another milestone in her evolving cricket journey.
International Career: Breaking New Ground
December 2024 marked a turning point in Pratika Rawal’s career as she earned her maiden call-up to the national team for an ODI series against the West Indies. Making her debut on December 22, 2024, she became the 150th player to represent India in women’s ODIs.
Her debut performance was a commendable effort, scoring 40 runs and forming a vital 110-run partnership with Smriti Mandhana. This promising start was only a precursor to her impact in the second ODI, where she scored her maiden half-century, a scintillating 76 runs. Her all-round capabilities came to the fore as she claimed two wickets, including the prized dismissal of West Indies captain Hayley Matthews. The catch, taken by Jemimah Rodrigues, sealed the moment and underscored Pratika’s growing stature as a match-winner.
A Rising Luminary in Indian Cricket
Pratika Rawal’s meteoric rise is a testament to her hard work, determination, and innate talent. With a solid domestic record and an auspicious international debut, she embodies the new generation of Indian women cricketers poised to make their mark on the global stage. As her journey continues, Pratika remains an inspiring figure, demonstrating that the confluence of talent and perseverance can lead to extraordinary accomplishments.