Why Pratika Rawal, India's Second-Highest Run-Scorer, Missed Out on Women's World Cup Medal

In one of the most poignant scenes from India's historic Women's ODI World Cup triumph, opener Pratika Rawal celebrated from a wheelchair, draped in the Indian tricolour, tears streaming down her face as her teammates lifted the trophy at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday. Yet, despite being India's second-highest run-scorer in the tournament with 308 runs at an average of 51.33, the 25-year-old batter was denied a winner's medal—a heartbreaking consequence of ICC regulations that has reignited debate about fairness in cricket's governing rules.

A Tournament-Defining Contribution Cut Short

Pratika Rawal's World Cup campaign was nothing short of exceptional. Opening the batting for India, she scored 308 runs in six innings at an impressive average of 51.33 and a strike rate of 77.77, making her the fourth-highest run-scorer in the entire tournament and India's second-best after Smriti Mandhana (363 runs).

Her defining moment came against New Zealand when, with India reeling from three consecutive defeats to South Africa, England, and Australia, Rawal smashed a magnificent 122 to anchor India's recovery. That century proved to be a turning point in India's campaign, kickstarting their remarkable comeback that would eventually culminate in World Cup glory.

Throughout the group stage, Rawal was the steady presence at the top of the order, providing crucial starts and building partnerships that allowed India's middle order to flourish. Her contributions were instrumental in India qualifying for the semifinals—yet she would not be part of the squad that completed the journey.

The Injury That Changed Everything

Pratika's World Cup dream came crashing down during India's final group-stage match against Bangladesh at the same DY Patil Stadium where India would eventually lift the trophy. She sustained a serious ankle injury that ruled her out of the remainder of the tournament, including the semifinal against Australia and the final against South Africa.

With the knockout stages looming and no time for rehabilitation, India's management made the difficult decision to replace Rawal in the official 15-member squad with Shafali Verma, who had been part of the larger touring party but not initially selected for the World Cup squad.

Shafali would go on to become one of the heroes of India's triumph, scoring 87 in the final and taking 2/36 with her part-time off-spin—earning the Player of the Match award in the process. While Shafali's contribution was invaluable, it came at the cost of Rawal's official status as a squad member.

The ICC Rule That Denied Her a Medal

According to ICC regulations, winner's medals are awarded exclusively to the 15 players in the official squad at the time of the final. Since Pratika was replaced by Shafali before the semifinal, she was no longer part of the squad when India clinched the title—and therefore ineligible for a winner's medal.

The rule is straightforward in its application but brutal in its consequences. Despite playing six of India's nine matches, despite scoring more runs than 11 of the 15 players who did receive medals, and despite being present at the stadium for the final, Rawal was denied the tangible symbol of India's historic achievement.

"As per ICC regulations, the winner's medal is awarded to the 15-member squad. While Pratika was part of the squad at the start of the competition, she was replaced by Shafali after her injury. Shafali, who won the Player Of The Match in the final, received one while Pratika missed out," confirmed tournament officials.

Not the First Time: The Jason Gillespie Precedent This harsh reality has precedent. During Australia's victorious 2003 Men's World Cup campaign, fast bowler Jason Gillespie played four matches and took eight wickets before being replaced by Nathan Bracken due to injury. Despite his contributions, Gillespie did not receive a winner's medal—a fact that still rankles with cricket historians who argue that such rules fail to recognize the contributions of players who helped their teams reach the final.

The Gillespie case has been cited by critics as evidence that the ICC's medal policy needs reform, yet more than two decades later, the rule remains unchanged.

"It Was Harder to Watch Than to Play" Speaking after India's victory, an emotional Pratika revealed the bittersweet nature of her experience.

"I can't even express it. There are no words. This flag on my shoulder means so much. To be here with my team—it's surreal. Injuries are part of the game, but I'm just so happy I could still be part of this team. I love this team. I can't express what I feel—we actually did it! We're the first Indian team to win the World Cup in so long. The whole of India deserves this," she said from her wheelchair.

Then came the most poignant admission: "Honestly, it was harder to watch than to play. Every wicket, every boundary—it gave me goosebumps. The energy, the crowd, the emotion—it was incredible."

For a player who had given everything to get India to the semifinals, watching from the sidelines as her teammates completed the journey must have been agonizing—made all the more painful by the knowledge that she would not receive official recognition for her contributions.

Teammates Rally Around Her

Despite the medal controversy, Pratika's teammates ensured she was part of the celebrations. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur rushed to embrace her in the wheelchair immediately after the final whistle, tears streaming down both their faces. Smriti Mandhana personally wheeled Pratika onto the presentation stage when the trophy was being presented, ensuring she was part of the iconic moment.

The images of Pratika—draped in the tricolour, beaming despite her pain, lifted by her teammates—became some of the most shared photographs from the celebration, a testament to her teammates' recognition of her contributions even if the ICC regulations did not.

The Debate: Should the Rule Change? Pratika's situation has reignited calls for the ICC to reform its medal policy. Critics argue that any player who contributes to a team's campaign—particularly in the group stages where qualification is secured—deserves recognition if the team goes on to win the tournament.

Possible reforms could include:

Extended squad medals: Awarding medals to all players who were part of the official squad at any point during the tournament

Contributory recognition: Creating a special category of recognition for players who contributed significantly but were replaced due to injury

Discretionary medals: Allowing team management to nominate one or two additional players for medals based on exceptional circumstances

However, the ICC has shown little appetite for such changes, arguing that medal allocation must be objective and based on squad membership at the time of the final to avoid complications and disputes.

A Bittersweet Triumph

For Pratika Rawal, India's World Cup triumph will forever be bittersweet. She played a crucial role in getting the team to the semifinals with her 308 runs—more than many players who did receive medals. She was present at the final, celebrating with her teammates despite her injury. Yet the official record will show that she did not receive a winner's medal.

"The whole of India deserves this," Pratika said, her generosity of spirit evident even in disappointment. For a player who gave her all for India's World Cup dream, that spirit—rather than any medal—may be her greatest legacy from this historic tournament.