As the Indian women’s cricket team prepares to step onto the hallowed turf of Lord’s on July 19 for the second ODI against England, the setting couldn’t be more poetic: a historic venue, a resurgent Indian side, and at the heart of it all, a 24-year-old batter making history with every innings she plays.
Pratika Rawal, elegant at the crease and articulate off it, is emerging not only as one of India’s brightest young talents but also as the composed voice of a team brimming with self-belief.
India, already 1–0 up in the three-match ODI series after clinching a thrilling four-wicket win at Southampton, are eyeing another series victory in England—something that just a few years ago might have felt aspirational. The momentum isn’t accidental; it’s built on the back of a formidable T20I series win (3–2), India’s first-ever T20I triumph on English soil.
Twelve matches into her ODI career, Pratika Rawal is already averaging above 60, with a strike rate that seamlessly blends grace and aggression. Yet, during her pre-match press conference in London on the eve of the second ODI, there was no chest-thumping or wide-eyed excitement—just measured confidence and grounded vision.
“I don’t feel under pressure that I have to perform in every single match,” she said with a modest smile. “This was my ambition since the beginning—to represent my country and help win matches. I’m just happy that I’m moving forward the way I intended to.”
While her performances have spoken volumes, not everything over the past few weeks has gone smoothly. Rawal addressed incidents during the 1st ODI where she was penalised with demerit points for obstruction on the field. But if the media expected contrition or defensiveness, they found only clarity.
“It wasn’t intentional,” she said firmly. “I was just running my way, and that shoulder contact wasn’t deliberate. I don’t think there should be too much fuss made about it.”
Though the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup is inching closer, Rawal and her teammates aren’t rushing towards it in thought or preparation. The focus, she explained, remains on the series at hand.
“Right now, our prime focus is to win this series. To win it 3–0—that would be great,” she said. “We’re taking one game at a time. Doing so really helps us stay focused.”
It’s the kind of mindset that has helped India take the lead in this ODI leg, riding high on the confidence from their T20I series victory.
For any cricketer, playing at Lord’s is the stuff of dreams. For a 24-year-old still in the early stages of her career, it’s a milestone.
“It’s a lovely ground, a historic one,” she said, eyes lighting up. “Every cricketer wants to play here at least once. I’m just grateful to be here representing my country at such an iconic venue.”
Despite the series lead, Rawal isn’t taking the hosts lightly. Asked whether the 1–0 scoreline gave India an upper hand, she shrugged it off.
“We’re not thinking of any advantage,” she admitted. “England is a very good side, and this game is all about small margins. In these conditions, they can bounce back at any time. We’re confident but grounded.”
When asked about the significance of playing top teams like England and Australia ahead of the World Cup, Rawal underlined the invaluable exposure they provide.
“Scoring well against teams like England and Australia gives you a lot of confidence. It’s important to get as many games as possible against such teams. That experience is invaluable ahead of big tournaments. And I think our team is progressing really well, with every player contributing.”
Since her debut, Rawal has formed a prolific opening partnership with senior batter Smriti Mandhana. Together, they’ve amassed over 1,000 ODI runs—India’s most productive current opening pair.
“Batting with Smriti is very mind-relieving,” she admitted. “There’s no pressure from her end. She plays so effortlessly. The dot-ball percentage doesn’t even come to mind when you’re at the non-striker’s end watching her stroke play.”
“With Harleen (Deol), it depends on the situation,” she explained. “In the last match, the pitch was drier. It felt like the ball came on nicely, but it was slower. So we had to adjust and give our team a good base. And then Jemi (Rodrigues) and Deepti di (Sharma) took it forward brilliantly.”
Though celebrated primarily for her batting, Rawal is now being considered a dependable sixth bowling option—something her captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, acknowledged earlier in the tour.
“I’m always happy to contribute wherever I’m needed,” she said. “We’ve been working a lot on bowling in nets—identifying lengths, areas, and strategies. Being an opener who can bowl adds another layer to my game, and I’m committed to the fitness demands that come with it.”
When asked about the media disparity between men’s and women’s games, Rawal responded not with frustration, but perspective.
“I look at it a bit differently,” she replied. “Women’s cricket has grown so much over the past decade. We’re seeing bigger crowds, more engagement, and more coverage. There’s still a way to go, but the progress is real, and I’m optimistic. We’re heading toward greater heights.”
She added that crowd support is energising:
“When you see people cheering for you, it gives you energy. I’d urge more people to come watch us—we’ll make sure they see a good show.”
As a psychology student, Rawal is often asked how she remains grounded despite her meteoric rise. Her answer is simple.
“I think it’s just the way I was raised,” she said. “My family taught me to stay humble, no matter what. It’s cultural for us, I think. And while psychology may help on the field, being grounded comes from home.”
At a time when Indian women’s cricket is demanding space, headlines, and recognition, Pratika Rawal—measured, mindful, and magnificent—could well be the face of its future. Whether it’s her calm approach at the crease, her growing versatility, or her refreshing clarity in front of the mic, Rawal embodies the evolving spirit of Indian women’s cricket: confident yet humble, ambitious yet disciplined.
As she takes the field at Lord’s in a city steeped in cricketing lore, it feels like she’s exactly where she belongs—and that many more such days lie ahead.
I am Yash Tailor, and I believe work should be driven by passion. Therefore, after completing my Engineering, I chose to work in the Cricket industry, my passion. My goal is to reach a stage where I truly enjoy what I do and give my best to every task with energy and purpose.