Rawal joins Warwickshire for One-Day Cup
Warwickshire Women have announced the signing of India batter Pratika Rawal for the remainder of the 2026 domestic season. Rawal is expected to bolster the county side’s batting lineup in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup. Her availability for selection begins with Warwickshire’s next One-Day Cup fixture on August 19, as the Bears aim to secure a spot in the tournament’s eliminators.
The club stated that Rawal’s addition would strengthen the squad as they look to conclude the season strongly. A club statement highlighted the significance of her arrival, noting, “It’s a great signing for the team, and we are most pleased to be able to welcome Pratika to Edgbaston. Our position in the One Day Cup table at the moment is a good one, and bringing in a player of Pratika’s calibre can only serve to strengthen our team as we aim to end the season on a positive note.”
Rawal expressed her enthusiasm for joining Warwickshire, stating her eagerness to experience county cricket and represent the team at Edgbaston. She remarked, “I am most pleased to be joining Warwickshire; I have heard many positive things about the club and am excited to get going and do all I can to assist the team. Testing myself by playing in England will be a great experience for me, and I’m also looking forward to walking out at Edgbaston, which is such an iconic ground in world cricket.”
Return to competitive cricket
This move marks Rawal’s return to competitive cricket following a recovery period from a knee injury. The injury had previously ruled her out of India’s one-off Test match against England at Lord’s. She sustained the injury on July 1 during an India A match in Taunton, which required stitches and prevented her from participating in the landmark Test.
Rawal was also part of the India squad that secured the World Cup title in 2025, though she missed the final victory against South Africa due to injury. Her Test debut occurred in March against Australia in Perth, where she scored 63 runs in India’s second innings.
Head coach Ali Maiden described Rawal’s signing as “fantastic” and anticipated that it would strengthen the team’s lineup as they strive for a positive end to the season. Warwickshire currently holds fifth place in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup standings. The team’s objective is to finish within the top three positions to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition.
Rawal’s international career
Rawal has emerged as a prominent batting talent for India since her international debut in December 2024. She holds a record as the fastest woman to achieve 500 One-Day International (ODI) runs, reaching this milestone in just eight innings. In ODIs, she maintains an average of more than 47, including two centuries and eight half-centuries from 26 innings.
The opener played a crucial role in India’s successful Women’s ODI World Cup campaign, where she scored 308 runs. This included a century against New Zealand, contributing significantly to the team’s triumph in 2025. The club anticipates that Rawal’s arrival will provide additional batting power at the top of the order during the concluding stages of the current competition.
The Bears have recorded five wins and five losses, along with one no result, from their 11 group games played so far in the tournament.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Priya Nair
Sports Reporter
