Meet Pratika Rawal, A Psychology Student Who Made Her Debut As India's 150th ODI Cricketer Against West Indies

India takes on West Indies in the three match ODI series with the first match being currently played at AT Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. The major talking point from the Indian camp was the debut cap being handed to Pratika Rawal. Rawal became the 150th cricketer to play for India in ODI on Sunday .

In her debut game, Pratika received her cap from deputy skipper Smriti Mandhana and opened the innings alongside her, scoring a confident 40 runs and forming a century partnership for the first wicket.

Who is Pratika Rawal?

Born on September 1, 2000, in Delhi, Pratika discovered her passion for cricket at the age of 10. Although initially interested in psychology, her focus shifted entirely to cricket.

She first gained prominence in the 2021 Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy, scoring 247 runs in seven games at an average of 49.40 and a strike rate of 78.41. Her standout performance included an unbeaten 161 off 155 balls, studded with 19 fours and five sixes, against Assam.

Earlier this year, Pratika captained Delhi to the Under-23 T20 Trophy final, where they narrowly lost to Madhya Pradesh. She was the second-highest run-scorer for her team, amassing 182 runs in nine matches at an average of 26 and a strike rate of 85.94. 

In the previous edition of the Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy, Pratika showcased her consistency by scoring 411 runs in eight matches at an impressive average of 68.50 and a strike rate of 91.94, including two centuries and a top score of 141. Additionally, she represented East Delhi Riders in the Women’s Delhi Premier League.

After the Women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE, India handed ODI caps to six cricketers, including Pratika Rawal, Minnu Mani, Tejal Hasabnis, Titas Sadhu, Saima Thakor, and Priya Mishra. Pratika’s debut performance marks a promising start to there illustrious international career.

Published on: Sunday, December 22, 2024, 04:33 PM IST