India opener Pratika Rawal has completed her competitive comeback from injury after being added to India’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against Australia women’s national cricket team. The move, confirmed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), marks Rawal’s return to the 50-over format for the first time since she was sidelined during the ICC Women’s World Cup last year.
Rawal had earlier been named in India’s Test squad as part of her gradual reintegration into international cricket following rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence. Her inclusion in the longer format signaled that she had regained full fitness and was ready for international demands. Now, with her return to the ODI set-up, the 25-year-old opener is poised to resume the role she had firmly established before injury halted her progress.
The setback occurred during the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, where Rawal had emerged as one of India’s most dependable performers in the group stage. Batting at the top of the order, she accumulated 308 runs in the tournament before sustaining ankle and knee injuries while fielding. At the time of her injury, she was averaging over 50, underlining her importance to India’s campaign. Although she was ruled out of the knockout stages, her contributions had already laid a strong foundation for the team’s success.
Rawal’s overall ODI numbers reflect a remarkable start to her international career. Since debuting in December 2024, she has played 24 ODIs, scoring 1,110 runs at an average of 50.45 and a strike rate above 80. Her record includes two centuries and seven half-centuries, demonstrating both consistency and the ability to convert starts into substantial scores. Reaching the 1,000-run mark within her first two dozen matches placed her among the quicker Indian women to the milestone, highlighting her rapid adaptation to international cricket.
Her average of 50.45 after 24 games compares favorably with established batters in the global women’s game, particularly for an opener who regularly faces the new ball. Rawal’s technique against pace, coupled with a disciplined off-side game, has enabled her to build innings methodically while keeping the scoreboard moving. In several matches prior to her injury, she provided India with stable starts that allowed middle-order players to capitalize.
The upcoming ODI series in Australia presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Australian conditions traditionally test top-order batters with pace and bounce, demanding tight technique and composure. For Rawal, the series represents a chance not only to regain match rhythm but also to reinforce her position in a competitive batting line-up that includes senior figures like captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana.
Her return also strengthens India’s depth in the 50-over format at a crucial time in the international calendar. Having first been eased back through a Test squad announcement, Rawal’s inclusion in the ODI team completes her return across formats, a significant milestone in her recovery and a timely boost for India’s ambitions in the 50-over game.
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