Indian women’s opener Pratika Rawal has finally been awarded her winner’s medal for the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, following a personal intervention by Jay Shah, President of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Rawal, who featured in the tournament’s group stage and ranked as India’s second-highest run-scorer with 308 runs in six innings, missed the knockout rounds after suffering an ankle injury in the final group match against Bangladesh. Under ICC regulations, only the 15-member squads named for the final match are automatically eligible for winner’s medals, meaning that Rawal did not receive hers during the on-field post-victory presentation.
The omission sparked concern among fans and commentators, given Rawal’s considerable contribution to India’s historic triumph. However, the situation was resolved when Jay Shah reached out personally to ensure she was recognized. Rawal’s father, Pradeep Rawal, confirmed that Shah had contacted the family, asked the ICC to issue the medal, and informed them that arrangements were underway. Rawal subsequently received the medal ahead of the team’s official engagements with the Prime Minister and President of India.
For Rawal, the moment was deeply emotional. She described opening the medal for the first time as a tear-filled and cathartic experience. Although she was unable to bat in the semi-final and final matches, her early-tournament starts and presence on the sideline throughout the final stages meant she had been present with the squad for the celebration at the Dr DY Patil Stadium. The wheelchair image of her celebrating alongside her teammates became iconic, and the medal now completes her own chapter in the story.
The affair carries significance beyond Rawal’s personal relief. It underscores the value of transparency and recognition in sport, particularly in the context of women’s cricket. Rawal’s case became a rallying point for the notion that every squad-member’s contribution matters—whether playing in the final or backing from the sidelines. The gesture made by Jay Shah earned widespread praise as an example of leadership cognisant of equity and acknowledgement.
Cricket analysts noted that the correction also sends a message about India’s growing stature in women’s cricket—where players are being acknowledged as individuals with unique stories, rather than simply components of a team. Rawal now holds her own medal, and the moment is etched into the broader narrative of how India ushered in its first-ever women’s world title.
As for Rawal’s career moving forward, the medal marks both a reward for what she has already achieved and a motivator for what lies ahead. Now back from injury, she will aim to reclaim the top-order slot she vacated and build upon the high standards she set. Her experience—scoring heavily in the lead-up, enduring the injury, supporting the team and now receiving recognition—paints her as a stronger, more battle-hardened player.
In sum, Pratika Rawal’s journey from early-stage standout to sidelined campaigner to finally recognized champion is more than a footnote. It is a reflection of her resilience and the increasing maturity of women’s cricket administration in India. Her medal is more than a piece of metal—it is justice acknowledged, a promise fulfilled, and a symbol of what happens when contribution is honoured.
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