The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that Pratika Rawal will return to the India Women’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against Australia. The young batter has fully recovered from the ankle injury she sustained during India’s successful 2025 Women’s World Cup campaign and is ready to rejoin the national team.
Rawal’s comeback follows a tough period away from cricket. She twisted her ankle while fielding in a rain-affected match against Bangladesh in October, which led to her being carried off the field. This was particularly disappointing for a player who was off to a fantastic start in her International career.
Recovery at the Centre of Excellence
After her injury, Rawal participated in a rigorous rehabilitation program at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE). The board confirms that she is now fit to return to competitive cricket.
Her absence was felt during the knockout stages of the World Cup, where she was replaced by Shafali Verma ahead of the semi-final. Rawal’s long recovery kept her away from competitive play for several months, testing her patience.
Despite the setback, Rawal’s impressive performances prior to her injury kept her in focus. She was included in the BCCI’s central contracts list, highlighting the selectors’ confidence in her abilities.
Additionally, Rawal was signed by UP Warriorz for the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL), but her recovery timeline meant she was unable to participate. Notably, she has yet to make her Women’s T20I debut for India, making her journey in international cricket an ongoing story.
Selectors have also included her in the squad for the one-off Test that follows the ODI series against Australia, indicating long-term plans for her across different formats.
Challenging series against Australia
The India Women’s team, captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, will kick off their three-match ODI series against Australia on February 24 in Brisbane. The other two matches will take place in Hobart, while Perth will host the single Test. Rawal’s return strengthens a batting lineup that features seasoned players like Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Shafali. With Australia known for their strong home performance, India aims to present a balanced and confident team.
Updated India Women ODI squad
Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Renuka Thakur, Sree Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Sneh Rana, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Uma Chetry (wk), Kashvee Gautam, Amanjot Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Pratika Rawal.
