India's second-highest run-scorer from the Women's World Cup 2025, Pratika Rawal, was not supposed to receive a winner's medal according to ICC rules.
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She sustained a knee and ankle injury due to an awkward fall while fielding against Bangladesh in their final league match. The batter had to, therefore, be replaced in the squad by Shafali Verma, who went on to win the Player of the Match in the final after her 87(78) and 2/36.
Rawal's replacement from the 15-member squad meant she was ineligible to receive the medal from India's historic triumph at home.
However, upon the Indian team's visit to the Prime Minister's residence after the win, the opener was seen wearing her medal despite not receiving one in the medal presentations.
How did Pratika Rawal get her Women's World Cup 2025 medal?
As per the ICC rules and regulations, only the 15-member squad on the night of the final is presented with the medals, alongside the coaching and the support staff.
When the Indian women's team visited PM Narendra Modi's residence on November 5, Pratika was spotted with a medal in all the pictures. But as revealed by the star batter herself, it was a medal presented to the support staff that she was wearing on the day.
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She also spoke about the ICC relaxing the rules to reward her performances in the competition, and that ICC Chairman Jay Shah assured her that she would soon receive her winner's medal.
"Jay Shah intervened and told us he wants to make sure I get a medal of my own. It is on the way. I will get it soon," Pratika revealed to CNN News 18's Shivani Gupta.
How did Pratika Rawal perform in the Women's World Cup 2025?
The 25-year-old was India's second-highest run scorer and the tournament's fourth-highest run-scorer, just behind Laura Wolvaardt, Smriti Mandhana, and Ashleigh Gardner.
She scored an instrumental century against New Zealand in their do-or-die match in DY Patil Stadium to help them win the game.308
| Innings | Runs | Avg/SR | Highest | 50/100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 308 | 51.33/77.77 | 122 | 1/1 |
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