India's star opener Pratika Rawal is all set to get her medal after the team's historic title win in the ICC Women's World Cup 2025. India defeated South Africa in the final to lift their maiden Women's WC title. However, Pratika missed the semifinal and final due to an ankle injury.
Pratika sustained an unfortunate injury and was ruled out of the rest of the tournament. She was replaced by Shafali Verma, who made a match-winning effort in the final. Rawal revealed that ICC Chairman Jay Shah personally ensured she would receive her medal. All 15 members of the winning squad, including Rawal’s replacement Shafali Verma, were presented with medals during the post-match ceremony.
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Notably, the medal she was wearing during India's meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu was given to her by a member of the support staff. "Jay Shah texted our manager that I want to make arrangements to get a medal for Pratika," Rawal said in an interview with CNN News18. “So, finally, I now do have my own medal. The first time I opened it up (medal given to her by support staff), and I looked towards it, I was almost in tears. I’m not a person who cries a lot, but that emotion was real, that feeling of joining us."
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Rawal also mentioned that Shah had earlier assured her she would receive a medal, though it might take some time to arrive.
"Jay Shah told us that he is asking the ICC if they can send a medal. So that medal is going to take some time to reach me. So, one of the support staff gave me their medal to wear for now. Consider that I have my own. So, the medal is on the way," she said.
Notably, Pratika was a part of the Indian squad and had a remarkable tournament. She scored 308 runs, becoming the 2nd highest scorer for India following Smriti Mandhana. After the World Cup win, the Indian players were handed medals, and Pratika didn't receive hers, as she was officially replaced from the squad. Interestingly, she was present on the podium for India's trophy lifting in a heartfelt gesture shown by Harmanpreet Kaur & co.