In the bustling city of New Delhi, India’s celebrated opening batter, Pratika Rawal, exemplifies the perfect synergy between academic prowess and sporting excellence. A psychology graduate with an impressive academic record, Pratika has ingeniously woven her understanding of the human mind and behavior into her cricketing strategy, mastering the delicate balance between mental fortitude and athletic performance.
Indeed, Pratika’s remarkable career stands as a testament to the powerful intersection of psychology and cricket.
Unlike many athletes who resort to music or simple distractions to manage nerves at the crease, Pratika employs a unique, self-aware ritual. Before every delivery, she engages in a silent dialogue, meticulously observing the bowler’s body language, run-up, and eye contact, and analyzing each subtle movement before committing to her shot.
Pratika Rawal is currently India’s leading run-scorer in the ongoing Women’s ODI World Cup.
This disciplined mental approach has undeniably yielded exceptional results. In her debut Women’s ODI World Cup, Pratika has proven to be an unstoppable force, consistently contributing significant scores in every match. Her impressive knocks include 37 against Sri Lanka, 31 against Pakistan, another 37 against South Africa, and a spectacular 75 against Australia. Amassing 180 runs across four matches with an average of 45, she currently stands as India’s top run-scorer in the tournament, a testament to her unique preparation.
Pratika Rawal’s father, Pradeep, is a BCCI-certified Level-II umpire.
Her father, Pradeep Rawal, a BCCI-certified Level-II umpire, describes her as a ‘silent girl’ who communicates her intensity through her performance rather than words. ‘She doesn’t talk much; she just observes. If you want to see an aggressive Pratika, look into her eyes – she shows her aggression through her bat,’ he proudly states. He credits her psychological studies for this transformation, noting that she was always an academically brilliant student whose academic insights now profoundly influence her cricket.
Pradeep further elaborates on her keen analytical abilities: ‘Whenever she returns from a match, she meticulously breaks down the bowlers’ styles – how they deliver, their on-field demeanor, whether they’re aggressive or composed. She is an exceptional analyst of the game.’
Pratika Rawal (center) with her family.
For the 25-year-old Pratika, books are a constant companion and a form of therapy, routinely packed alongside her cricket gear. Her father fondly recounts her early academic brilliance at Modern School, Barakhamba Road, where she achieved an impressive 92.5 percent in her CBSE board exams, a prelude to her psychology degree from Jesus & Mary College in New Delhi.
Beyond cricket, Pratika also excelled in basketball, earning a gold medal at the 64th School National Games in 2019.
‘She always carries some books with her,’ her father reiterates. ‘Whenever she finds a moment, she reads. It’s something she truly loves, and she was always exceptionally bright academically.’
Pratika Rawal’s cricket journey began at 6 years old.
Pratika’s cricketing odyssey began at the tender age of six, when her father, Pradeep, a former cricketer and now a certified umpire, noticed her natural talent while she played with friends in a local park. Recognizing her potential, he enrolled her with renowned coach Sharvan Kumar, known for mentoring talents like Ishant Sharma and Harshit Rana, at the esteemed Rohtak Road Gymkhana Cricket Club.
Pradeep shares his aspirations: ‘I used to immerse her in videos of Sachin Tendulkar’s greatest innings, along with those of Brian Lara and Steve Waugh. My own dream of playing for India remained unfulfilled, but I deeply wished for my daughter to achieve that level.’ He adds, ‘She greatly admires Alyssa Healy, and I’m confident she’ll have the opportunity to interact with her and gain valuable insights during this tournament.’
Initially, being the sole girl in a boys-dominated academy presented its challenges, with taunts and jibes being a regular occurrence. However, this unique environment proved to be a hidden blessing. Instead of letting it deter her, Pratika channeled the adversity, using it to hone her skills. Training alongside boys, facing their fast deliveries, and participating in intense net and fielding sessions forged her mental toughness and refined her technical game.
Training with boys, facing sharp deliveries and intense fielding sessions, significantly enhanced Pratika Rawal’s mental and technical game.
Coach Sharvan Kumar recalls, ‘There wasn’t a single girl in the academy when Pratika joined. But for her father, I agreed to train her. She possessed natural talent, and the primary challenge was that she had to train exclusively with boys, which instilled a tough, resilient cricketing foundation from the very beginning.’
He continues, ‘Pratika’s passion was always batting; she never took to bowling, consistently aiming to play long, impactful innings. Her dedication was exemplary – she balanced school, cricket, and tuitions with remarkable punctuality. Every day, at precisely 7 PM, she’d inform me, “Sir, I’m leaving, it’s time for my tuition,” carrying both her school bag and cricket kit, a symbol of her commitment to both worlds.’
The coach attributes her success to more than just scoring runs, emphasizing her exceptional consistency. ‘She often expresses her desire to represent the country for as long as possible, and she understands that maintaining her place amidst intense competition requires continuous, high-level scoring,’ he concludes.