When Pratika Rawal stepped onto the field in December 2024, few anticipated the impact she would make. A passionate psychology graduate from Delhi, she combined academic understanding of the human mind with raw cricketing talent. Within two months, she emerged as one of India’s most compelling young openers—scoring heavily, bowling handy off‑spin, and demonstrating calm maturity under pressure.
From her debut knock of 40 against West Indies to a tournament‑defining 154 vs Ireland, Pratika’s journey speaks to dedication, intellect, and youthful ambition. This post dives into her early life, breakthrough moments, key performances, mindset, and what lies ahead.
1. Early Life & Academic Roots
Pratika Rawal was born on 1 September 2000 in Delhi
She excelled academically, scoring an impressive 92.5% in her CBSE exams while studying at Modern School, Barakhamba Road Later, she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Jesus & Mary College, New Delhi
Her interest in psychology helped shape her cricket mindset, particularly around focus, self‑talk, and coping under pressure—concepts she later attributed to enhanced performance on the field
2. Sports DNA & Family Influence
Her father, Pradeep Rawal, is a BCCI Level‑II umpire, giving her early exposure to professional cricket Pratika first held a bat at age 10 and honed her skills at Rohtak Road Gymkhana under coaches Shravan Kumar and Dishant Yagnik
Notably, she also earned a gold medal in basketball at the 64th School National Games in 2019—a testament to her athleticism and competitive spirit
3. Domestic Career Highlights
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Delhi Debut (2021‑24): Scored an unbeaten 161* off 155 balls against Assam in the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy 2023–24 Season: Tallied 411 runs in eight games at an average of 68.50, including two centuries Switch to Railways (2024): Joined one of the strongest teams in domestic women’s cricket in India
She also featured in the Women’s Delhi Premier League and captained Delhi to the Under‑23 T20 Trophy final
4. International Breakthrough (2024–25)
ODI Debut vs West Indies
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Debuted on 22 December 2024, scoring 40 and forming a 110‑run stand with Smriti Mandhana
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In her second ODI, scored 76 and took 2/37, including the wicket of Hayley Matthews
Record-Breaking 154 vs Ireland
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On 15 January 2025, she smashed 154 off 129 balls in just her sixth ODI, playing a pivotal role in India’s 435/5—its highest-ever total in ODIs
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Her innings included a 233‑run opening partnership with Mandhana, marking a historic day for Indian women’s cricket
5. Milestones & Records
Pratika burst through several records in quick succession:
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Fastest to 500 runs in women’s ODIs—achieved in just eight innings, shattering a 27‑year‑old record previously held by England’s Charlotte Edwards
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Third‑fastest Indian (both men and women) to reach 500 ODI runs—after Shubman Gill.
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One of only three Indian women to pass 150 in an ODI, joining Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma
6. Statistics Snapshot
From ESPNcricinfo:
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ODIs: 11 matches, 638 runs, average 63.80, 1 century & 5 fifties, top score 154; plus 4 wickets
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List A (domestic): 47 matches, 2006 runs, average 57.31, 5 centuries with a top score of 161*
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T20s: 24 matches, 574 runs, average 24.95, top score 76
She is also a handy off‑spinner with 4 ODI wickets .
7. Mental Edge: Psychology Meets Performance
Pratika’s psychology background has given her a unique edge:
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Positive self‑talk before and during play
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Calming routines under pressure
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Tactical mental preparation and visualisation techniques
She has credited this mindset for helping her clear thinking in scoring big, as highlighted in BCCI’s “Psychology meets Cricket” feature .
8. Personality & Off-Field Life
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Known for her humility and dedication
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Social media shows a grounded, disciplined individual balancing studies, sport, and fitness
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Her engagement with fans reflects approachability and sincerity
9. What Lies Ahead
Future shows huge promise:
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Likely to be part of India’s squad for ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025
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Continued strong domestic performances for Railways
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Potential inclusion in the Women’s Premier League
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Role as a leader or mentor given her academic insight and early success
10. Why Fans Love Her
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💡 A role model who values education alongside elite sport
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💪 Inspirational story of grit, intelligence, and talent
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📈 A record-breaker who delivers under pressure
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🌟 Symbol of new‑age Indian women athletes—smart, strong, and empathetic
FAQs – All About Pratika Rawal
Q1: Who is Pratika Rawal?
A: An Indian women’s cricket opener born in Delhi (2000), psychology graduate, debuting in December 2024, and already a record-breaking international player
Q2: What made her stand out early?
A: A strong debut with 40 & 76 and 2/37 vs West Indies, followed by a knock of 154 vs Ireland just after six ODI games .
Q3: What records has she broken?
A: Fastest to 500 women’s ODI runs (8 innings), highest individual for India (154), and third-highest total in women’s ODIs
Q4: How did psychology help her cricket?
A: It gave her tools for self‑affirmation, mental resilience, and coping mechanisms that boosted her on‑field performance
Q5: What’s next for Pratika?
A: Likely a key member of India’s World Cup 2025 campaign, ongoing domestic excellence, and a potential future WPL star.
Closing Thoughts
Pratika Rawal is a breath of fresh air in Indian cricket—a blend of intelligence, grit, and athletic prowess. Her achievements so far are extraordinary, but her mindset and approach hint at even greater things to come.
From smashing records to bringing psychological insight into cricket, she is not only shaping innings but also shaping the future of India’s women’s game. Stay inspired, stay supportive, and don’t forget to bookmark this space to follow her journey!
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