Every once in a while, the world witnesses a story that reminds us why we love sports so much — stories of grit, passion, and steady beliefs. One such story is that of Pratika Rawal, whose journey from the beginning to the World Cup glory has inspired millions of people.
From her senior domestic debut for Delhi in 2021 to her international career in December 2024, with her debut ODI against the West Indies, her courage turned her dream into reality. She is also an unsung face behind the 2025 World Cup victory. Her path was not so easy, but she prevailed as a champion and led her role too well.
This is the story of how she overcame every challenge to help lift the World Cup trophy. Let’s step into her success story from how she faced the odds to finally front of the goal she had once dreamed.
In this story, I’m going to show you how Rawal’s journey begins as a dreamer to her successful performance over the years, which shows how she became an inspiration to today’s and upcoming generations who constantly dare to dream. Stay tuned:
Table of Contents
Early Life: The Beginning of A Dream
Pratika Rawal was born in a small town where opportunities were limited, but dreams were not.
Pratika Rawal was born on 1st september 2000, in Delhi, India. As of 2025, she is now 25 years old. Pradeep Rawal and Rajni Rawal are Pratika’s parents.
From a young age, she showed an impressive interest in sports. Pratika chose to play with purpose over casually.
Her parents always encouraged her passion. They believed in her even when the world doubted her. “If you truly love something, give it your all,” her father would often say. Those words stayed with her through every hardship. Her father even expressed immense dignity in his daughter by saying, “Keep playing for your country”. From then to now, we all know whatever she is.
Facing The Odds
As Pratika Rawal grew older, the challenges only got tougher. In a society where girls in sports were often discouraged, she faced criticism and skepticism. Many told her to give up and focus on her studies or get a “stable” job. But Pratika was not the kind to surrender easily.
She had to travel long distances to attend training sessions. Many days, she skipped meals just to save money for her sports equipment. There were times when she doubted herself, wondering if her hard work would ever pay off. Yet, every setback made her stronger. She learned that success doesn’t come to those who wait — it comes to those who persevere.
The Breakthrough Moment
Fourth standard, Pratika’s life changed when she started her career in the cricket world. At Rohtak Road Gymkhana Cricket Academy, she trained under coach Sharvan Kumar. It was her first big opportunity to prove herself. Competing among the country’s best athletes was intimidating, but Pratika remained focused. Pratika Rawal’s dedication and work ethic quickly caught the attention of her coaches. Later, she also trained with the Delhi women’s team coach, Dishant Yagnik.
During one practice match, she delivered an outstanding performance that stunned everyone. Her precision, confidence, and calmness under pressure were remarkable. That moment marked the beginning of her rise to stardom.
Domestic & International Career
- She began her domestic cricket career playing for Delhi from 2021 to early 2024. During this time, she made her List A debut in October 2021 and scored consistently, including a top score of 161. She also played T20 matches for Delhi and performed well in the 2023–24 One Day Trophy with two centuries. In 2024, she joined Railways for national tournaments and also played in the Women’s Delhi Premier League. She captained Delhi’s Under-23 team to the final and made her first-class debut for North Zone in April 2024.
- Her international career started in December 2024 when she was selected for the ODI series against the West Indies. She scored 40 runs on debut and made a half-century in the next match while also taking wickets. She scored her first ODI century (154) in January 2025 and set several records, including being the fastest to 500 ODI runs and joint-fastest to 1,000 runs. She also scored her first World Cup century in October 2025.
Setbacks and Comebacks
No champion’s story is complete without setbacks. Pratika Rawal faced several injuries during her career — moments that could have easily ended her dream. One particular injury before a major tournament left her devastated. Doctors advised her to rest for months, but the World Cup was around the corner.
The thought of missing it broke her heart. But Pratika refused to give up. With sheer determination, she underwent intense physiotherapy and worked day and night to regain her fitness. Her recovery became a story of incredible willpower.
When she finally returned to the field, the crowd burst into cheering. She had not only healed physically but also come back mentally stronger.
The Grand Finale World Cup: A Day to Remember
The World Cup 2025 was the biggest stage of her career. The world was watching, and expectations were high. The team, led by experienced players, had trained for years to reach this moment. Pratika Rawal’s role was crucial — she was not just a key player but also a source of motivation for the entire squad.
The World Cup final was more than just a match; it was a test of courage and determination. The stadium was packed, millions were watching on television, and the air was filled with excitement.
But there was a sad turn happened:
A Sudden Injury on a Wet Outfield
Started with India’s final league match against Bangladesh at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, on October 26, 2025. In the 21st over, Rawal twisted her ankle and knee while trying to stop a ball near the deep midwicket boundary. The outfield was wet, which caused her to slip awkwardly.
She had to be helped off the field by medical staff and did not even return for the rest of the game. As a result, Amanjot Kaur opened the batting alongside Smriti Mandhana in India’s innings.
The BCCI medical team will continue to track her progress and state that she will recover soon.
A Big Blow ahead of the Semi-Finals
Rawal has been one of India’s best performers in the tournament. Losing Rawal is a huge setback for India. The team now faces a tough challenge against seven-time champions Australia in the semi-finals, scheduled in Navi Mumbai.
Pratika Rawal scored 308 runs in six innings, averaging 51.33, making her the second-highest run-scorer of the World Cup behind Smriti Mandhana.
Rawal’s Most Standout Performance
Despite the early end to her campaign, Pratika Rawal delivered several memorable performances that amazed me:
- 75 runs vs Australia, even though India lost that game
- A match-winning 122 vs New Zealand, which confirmed India’s place in the semi-finals
- Becoming the joint-fastest woman to reach 1000 ODI runs (23 innings), matching Lindsay Reeler’s 1988 record
Her opening partnerships with Mandhana have been crucial for India. The duo produced two century stands, including a massive 212-run partnership against New Zealand, the highest for any wicket in this tournament.
Rawal also contributed with the ball, taking two wickets with her right-arm offbreak.
In interviews, Pratika Rawal spoke humbly about her path. “It wasn’t easy,” she said, “but every struggle made me stronger. If my story can inspire even one young girl to chase her dream, it’s worth everything.”
Social Media Post after Winning The Dream
She posted a heartwarming photo on November 3 by noting SRK’s touching line, “Kehte hai hamko pyar se INDIA vale 🇮🇳🇮🇳🏆”. The post reached over five lakh likes with all India’s teams and well-wishers.
She made a post after three days, on November 6, with the respected Prime Minister, saying
“Meeting Hon’ble Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji was truly special. Thank you, sir, for recognising our journey and inspiring us to keep raising the bar 🇮🇳🏆”.
The post reached over two lakhs likes.
The Impact: Inspiring a Generation
Pratika Rawal’s World Cup triumph changed more than just her life — it changed the way society looked at women in sports. She became a symbol of strength and hope. Young girls across the country began to dream bigger, realizing that gender or background should never be a limitation.
Schools and sports academies started programs to encourage more female athletes. Sponsors and organizations began investing in women’s sports like never before. Pratika had sparked a movement that would continue for years.
She also became an advocate for mental health in sports, openly discussing the pressures athletes face. Her honesty and courage made her a champion.
Lessons Learned from Pratika Rawal’s Journey
Pratika Rawal’s story teaches us many lessons:
- Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. She proved that determination can overcome any limitation.
- Failures are not the end — they are stepping stones. Every setback she faced made her stronger and wiser.
- Belief is the strongest weapon. Even when no one else believed in her, Pratika believed in herself.
- Success is not just about winning. It’s about inspiring others, giving back, and creating change.
A Legacy for The Ages
Years from now, people will remember not just Pratika’s victories, but her spirit. Her story will be told to remind future generations that success demands patience, effort, and resilience. She showed that true champions are not defined by trophies, but by the battles they fight and the hearts they touch.
Pratika Rawal’s World Cup triumph is more than a sports story — it’s a story of human strength, of grit, and of the power of dreams.
Conclusion
From a small-town girl with big dreams to a world champion, Pratika Rawal’s journey is a shining example of what one can achieve with passion and perseverance. Her story will continue to inspire countless others to rise above challenges and chase their dreams fearlessly.
The day will not be forgotten in history; the group of brave girls dreams of catching a big bird and finally seeing it. Her World Cup triumph wasn’t just her victory — it was a victory for every dreamer who dares to believe. The more she progresses in her journey as a champion, the more we will update.
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