Pratika Rawal Makes Comeback to India Women's Cricket Squad After Ankle Injury
In a significant boost for the Indian women's cricket team, batter Pratika Rawal has been reinstated to the squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia. This marks her return after a period of rehabilitation following an ankle injury sustained last year. The series is set to commence on February 24 in Brisbane, forming a crucial part of India's ongoing multi-format tour of Australia.
Recovery and Rehabilitation Journey
Rawal's injury occurred during the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 while she was fielding against Bangladesh. This unfortunate incident led to her replacement by Shafali Verma in the tournament, where India ultimately clinched their maiden World Cup victory. According to an official statement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Rawal has successfully completed her rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence and is now fully fit to resume competitive play.
The BCCI statement elaborated, "The Women's Selection Committee has added Pratika Rawal to India's squad for the three-match ODI series against Australia women, which is part of the ongoing multi-format tour of Australia. Pratika has completed her rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence and has fully recovered from her ankle injury sustained in October during the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025."
Series Schedule and Squad Updates
The ODI series will feature matches across key Australian venues, with the first game in Brisbane on February 24, followed by encounters in Hobart on February 27 and March 1. Beyond the ODIs, Rawal's inclusion extends to the Test squad for the one-off match against Australia scheduled for March 6 in Perth, highlighting her importance across formats.
India's updated squad for the ODI series is as follows:
- Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain)
- Smriti Mandhana (Vice-Captain)
- Shafali Verma
- Renuka Thakur
- Sree Charani
- Vaishnavi Sharma
- Kranti Gaud
- Sneh Rana
- Deepti Sharma
- Richa Ghosh (Wicket-Keeper)
- Uma Chetry (Wicket-Keeper)
- Kashvee Gautam
- Amanjot Kaur
- Jemimah Rodrigues
- Harleen Deol
- Pratika Rawal
This squad, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, aims to build on India's recent World Cup success and deliver strong performances in the challenging Australian conditions.
Implications for Team India
Rawal's return adds depth and experience to the batting lineup, potentially strengthening India's strategy against a formidable Australian side. Her recovery journey underscores the rigorous support systems in place within Indian cricket, facilitated by the BCCI's rehabilitation programs. As the team prepares for the series, fans and analysts will keenly watch how Rawal integrates back into the squad and contributes to India's campaign in this high-stakes tour.
