No World Cup medal for Pratika Rawal: Reason behind India’s second-highest run-scorer’s snub

Pratika Rawal celebrates India's Women's World Cup triumph with teammates (Source: X)

A slew of classic photos from India's first-ever Women's ODI World Cup victory has already surfaced, including Harmanpreet Kaur holding the trophy, Shafali Verma grinning after winning Player of the Match in the final, the squad taking a lap of honor with the trophy, and many more.

However, one of the most striking pictures shows a 25-year-old in a wheelchair watching India defeat South Africa by 52 runs, with Tri-colour on her shoulder and tears in her eyes. Pratika Rawal is the second-highest run scorer for India in this World Cup, however she didn't receive a winner's medal.

One of the cornerstones of India's league-stage campaign was Rawal. She finished as India's second-highest run scorer and fourth on the tournament charts overall after batting in the top order and scoring 308 runs in six innings at an average of 51.33.

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She served as the constant focal point of India's batting for a significant portion of the league stage. Her efforts were made in the tough early games that paved the way for India's eventual victory, prior to the knockout stages.

But in India's last league game against Bangladesh, which was also a dead rubber, that streak was unexpectedly halted. During that match, Rawal sustained an ankle injury that eventually ruled her out from the competition. Shafali was then officially added to the 15-member squad by the management.

Only members of the current 15-player squad are eligible to receive winners' medals under ICC regulations. When India eventually won the championship, Rawal was no longer eligible because she had begun the tournament in that group but injury forced her out.

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After replacing Rawal, Shafali went on to play one of the best knocks by an Indian in a World Cup final, slamming a fluid 87 to build up India's total of 298/7 against South Africa. Rather than Rawal, she was awarded the medal with the other fourteen.

It is a severe technicality that has also been seen previously. When Jason Gillespie was hurt during the 2003 Men's ODI World Cup, Nathan Bracken took his position. In that instance as well, Bracken won the medal while Gillespie did not.