Table of Contents
- From Delhi Streets to World Cup Semifinals
- Historic Stand with Smriti Mandhana
- Following Sehwag, Gambhir & Dhawan’s Path
- More Than Just a Batter
- Years of Grit Behind the Glamour
- What’s Next for Pratika Rawal?
- Sources
Pratika Rawal: From Delhi Streets to World Cup Semifinals
In a tournament filled with seasoned stars, one name has emerged with quiet confidence and explosive talent: Pratika Rawal. The 22-year-old opener from Delhi has not only earned her place in the Indian women’s cricket team but has become a linchpin in their 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup campaign.
Rawal’s journey—from local Delhi academies to international stardom—mirrors the paths once walked by legends like Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, and Shikhar Dhawan. Now, she’s writing her own chapter in that storied legacy.
Historic Stand with Smriti Mandhana Propels India Forward
Rawal’s breakout moment came during a high-pressure group-stage clash when she stitched together a record-breaking opening partnership with captain Smriti Mandhana. Their 168-run stand not only dismantled the opposition but also powered India straight into the semifinals.
What stood out wasn’t just the runs—but her composure under fire. Facing pace, spin, and scoreboard pressure, Rawal played with maturity beyond her years, mixing elegant cover drives with calculated aggression.
Following Sehwag, Gambhir & Dhawan’s Path
Delhi has long been a nursery for elite Indian batters. Sehwag’s fearless aggression, Gambhir’s grit, and Dhawan’s flair all originated in the capital’s competitive cricket circuits. Now, Pratika Rawal is the latest torchbearer.
“Delhi cricket teaches you to fight from day one,” Rawal said in a recent interview. “You don’t get handed opportunities—you earn them.” Her rise through age-group cricket, state tournaments, and eventually the senior national side reflects that ethos.
More Than Just a Batter
While her batting has grabbed headlines, Rawal is also a capable fielder and a handy off-spin option. Coaches note her cricketing intelligence—she reads game situations quickly and adapts her role accordingly.
During the World Cup, she’s already effected two run-outs and chipped in with crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs, proving her value as a genuine all-rounder in the modern game.
Years of Grit Behind the Glamour
Rawal’s success didn’t happen overnight. She trained under former domestic coach Rajesh Dhiman, who emphasized technical discipline and mental resilience. Early mornings, net sessions in sweltering heat, and relentless video analysis were routine.
“She never missed a session,” recalled Dhiman. “Even when others doubted her height or power, she worked twice as hard.”
Her family sold a piece of ancestral land to fund her early tournaments—a sacrifice that fuels her determination to succeed on the global stage.
What’s Next for Pratika Rawal?
With the semifinals looming and eyes of a nation watching, Rawal’s role will only grow. Analysts believe she could become India’s long-term answer at the top of the order in all formats.
And if her World Cup form is any indication, the world hasn’t seen the last of Delhi’s newest cricketing jewel. As one commentator put it: “Sehwag had swagger. Gambhir had steel. Dhawan had flair. Rawal? She’s got all three—and then some.”
Sources
From Delhi to Team India: Pratika Rawal follows in Sehwag, Gambhir’s footsteps – Times of India