Pratika Rawal, who missed the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 knockout stages due to injury, joined her teammates’ title celebrations in a wheelchair on Sunday.
Feeling overwhelmed upon seeing her teammates celebrate their inspiring title win at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 on Sunday, November 2, India’s injured opener Pratika Rawal made sure she joined them despite being in a wheelchair. The right-hander was ruled out of the tournament before the semi-final after suffering a serious ankle injury while fielding against Bangladesh at the same venue.
Moments after skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and her spirited Indian side completed a remarkable comeback in the tournament by defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the final in Navi Mumbai, Rawal was seen joining the team along with her father, Pradeep Rawal. The young opener even tried to stand briefly and did some light bhangra to celebrate the moment.
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Making the occasion even more memorable, Rawal wore the Indian team jersey and proudly draped the tricolour flag around her shoulders as she reunited with her teammates and friends.
Later, Rawal tried to hold back tears as she spoke to the broadcasters, expressing her emotions over India’s historic victory. “I can’t express enough. There are no words. It’s not going to come out of my mouth. This flag on my shoulder means a lot to me. And you know, being here with my team, it’s just surreal,” she said.
“Injuries are part and parcel of the game. I’m very happy that I was a part of this team, this winning team. I just love this team. I can’t express my feelings towards this team. I’m very happy that we actually made it. We’re the first team who has won the World Cup in so long and the whole of India deserves this.”
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“To be very honest, it was very difficult for me to sit down and watch the match because it’s actually very difficult. It’s very easy to play inside rather than watching from the outside. But seeing this energy, seeing this environment, it just gave me goosebumps. Whenever there was a wicket, whenever there was a sixer, you know, you can see the energy. It’s amazing.”
Rawal had been in fine form during the group stage, scoring a match-winning century in the crucial encounter against New Zealand. Ironically, her replacement and comeback opener, Shafali Verma, delivered a Player of the Match performance in the final, scoring 87 runs and taking two wickets to seal India’s World Cup glory.
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