1-Did Pratika Rawal not receive a medal after the World Cup? 2-If she didn't receive it, whose medal was she wearing at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's event? 3-Did this incident lead the International Cricket Council (ICC) to amend its rules?
These are the questions that echoed after India's triumph over South Africa in the Women's Cricket World Cup finals. Pratika Rawal, known for her sensational batting in the 2025 Women's World Cup, was injured during a match against Bangladesh.
As a result, she missed the semifinals against Australia and the finals against South Africa, with Shefali Verma stepping in for the matches. On November 2, when the Indian cricket team claimed its first Women's World Cup win, Pratika was seen at DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, cheering from her wheelchair and helping lift the trophy. However, during the medal ceremony, she was notably left without a medal, raising eyebrows.
On November 5, at a celebratory event hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pratika was seen wearing a medal during the photo session, prompting speculation about its origin. Did a teammate lend it to her? Pradeep Rawal, her father, clarifies the situation.
Source: aajtak
Pratika's father, Pradeep Rawal, was once a celebrated cricketer with renowned club-level influence. He was a remarkable fast bowler and a hard-hitting batsman and is currently a BCCI-certified Level-II umpire for the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA).
In a conversation with aajtak.in, Pradeep stated, "A personal message from ICC Chairman Jay Shah ensured that the medal found its way to Pratika. That's why my daughter was seen wearing it during PM Modi's event."
When questioned about rumors suggesting that Pratika wore someone else's medal, Pradeep clarified, "Why would we use someone else's medal? Pratika received her medal before the event in Delhi with PM Modi."
Read more: Pratika Rawal, seated in a wheelchair, served by PM Modi, touches hearts in video
Social media demand for Pratika's medal
After India's historic Women’s World Cup victory, the discourse primarily revolved around Pratika Rawal. Despite her impressive contribution in the group stage with seven matches, her injury led to her exclusion from the team before the semifinals, yet she didn't receive a medal. Social media rallied for her right to be honored as a winner. The next day, a photograph emerged showing her wearing the winner's medal, sparking the question, 'Where did the 16th medal come from?'
Official ICC regulations stipulate that a winning World Cup team receives only 15 winner's medals. Players injured during the tournament who are replaced do not receive medals. Pratika was injured before the semifinals, and a new player was brought in. Thus, under these rules, she was not in the 'winner's list.' However, thanks to Jay Shah's intervention, she eventually received the medal.
Pratika Rawal’s performance in the 2025 World Cup
At 25, Pratika Rawal scored 308 runs in seven World Cup matches, with an average of 51.33. Since debuting in ODIs in 2024, her bat has flourished, amassing 1110 runs from 24 matches over 23 innings, with a high score of 154, an average of 50.45, and a strike rate of 82.83. Her off-spin has also garnered six wickets. To date, her international career comprises only ODI appearances.
