India opener Pratika Rawal was a vital cog in the wheel in helping the hosts qualify for the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 semifinal. But, in a non-consequential game against Bangladesh which was eventually washed out due to rain, Rawal injured her ankle and knee. The opener getting ruled out of the tournament before the semifinal was a big blow for India. While India were able to beat mighty Australians in semifinal and then the South Africans in the title clash, Harmanpreet revealed that everyone got emotional when they learned that the 25-year-old’s campaign came to an abrupt end.
"When she [Pratika] got injured, everybody was crying...yet, everybody was so positive. Everyone was thinking that our end goal was this trophy. We had to keep working hard day and night. And this is the result," Harmanpreet said in the post-match press conference in Navi Mumbai.
Pratika finished the tournament as fourth-highest run-scorer. From six innings, she scored 308 runs at an average of 51.33, featuring a century and one fifty.
Pratika joins celebration on a wheelchair
Pratika was present at the DY Patil Stadium for the final on November 2. On a wheelchair with a plastered ankle, she witnessed history in making. She even stood up as players celebrated. Later, she joined the celebrations and was at the podium at the trophy as well.
“I can't express enough. There's no words. It's not going to come out of my mouth. This flag on my shoulder means a lot to me. And you know, being here with my team, it's just surreal,” Pratika told the broadcasters after India’s 52-run win.
“Injuries are part and parcel of the game. I'm very happy that I was a part of this team, this winning team. I just love this team. I can't express my feelings towards this team. I'm very happy that we actually made it. We're the first team who has won the World Cup in so long and the whole of India deserves this.
“To be very honest, it was very difficult for me to sit down and watch the match because it's actually very difficult. It's very easy to play inside rather than watching from the outside. But seeing this energy, seeing this environment, it just gave me goosebumps. Whenever there was a wicket, whenever there was a sixer, you know, you can see the energy. It's amazing.”
Pratika’s replacement performs on big stage
Her last-minute replacement, Shafali Verma, justified the late selection. She departed early against Australia but scored 87 runs against South Africa in the final. Then, she claimed two wickets to derail South Africa’s run chase. The 21-year-old ended up winning the ‘Player of the match’, the youngest to achieve the feat in a World Cup.
Pratika is set to miss a few months of action due to injury. It is yet to be seen whether she recovers before the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026.