Pratika Rawal Finally Receives Her World Cup Medal, Meets PM Modi After India’s Historic Triumph
After days of anticipation and public calls for recognition, Pratika Rawal finally received her ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 winner’s medal — and her...
After days of anticipation and public calls for recognition, Pratika Rawal finally received her ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 winner’s medal — and her joy was unmistakable when she joined her victorious teammates in meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence on Lok Kalyan Marg on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister felicitated the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian women’s team, congratulating them for their historic first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup win and their “inspiring display of resilience.” The players, dressed in coordinated formal attire and proudly wearing their medals, were praised for turning their campaign around after a difficult start marked by three league-stage defeats and heavy social media trolling.
‘It Was Harder to Watch Than to Play’
Rawal, 24, had been one of India’s standout batters before an ankle injury ruled her out just before the semifinals. Despite her absence, she finished as the second-highest run-scorer for India, with 308 runs, including a century and a fifty.
Now back with the team, the young cricketer’s emotions spilled over as she clutched her medal during the meeting.
“I can’t even express it — there are no words. This flag on my shoulder means so much,” Pratika said, visibly emotional.
“To be here with my team — it’s surreal. Injuries are part of the game, but I’m just so happy I could still be part of this team. Honestly, it was harder to watch than to play.”
She added that every wicket and boundary during the final “gave her goosebumps,” describing the team’s unity and the crowd’s passion as “incredible.”
A Medal That Almost Didn’t Happen
Under ICC rules, medals are awarded only to players in the final 15-member World Cup squad. Since Pratika had been replaced before the semifinal due to injury, she technically wasn’t entitled to a medal. However, after appeals from fans, teammates, and several former cricketers, the BCCI and ICC jointly decided to present her with a special winner’s medal, acknowledging her pivotal contribution in India’s road to the title.
A similar situation occurred in the 2003 Men’s World Cup, when Australia’s Jason Gillespie, despite taking eight wickets in four games, missed out on a medal after injury forced him out mid-tournament.
PM Modi’s Words of Praise
During the interaction, PM Modi lauded the team for their collective spirit and specifically acknowledged Pratika’s story as “a reflection of courage and commitment.”
“You showed that even from the sidelines, one can be a pillar of strength for the nation,” he told her.
Rawal’s father, in a separate interview, said the moment fulfilled “a dream that began years ago” when Pratika picked up a bat as a child.
“She worked hard for this. Even when injured, she told me, ‘Papa, we will win it,’” he said proudly.
A Story Beyond Cricket
For millions of fans, Pratika Rawal’s medal has come to symbolize more than victory — it stands for perseverance, inclusion, and recognition in women’s sports.