Indian batsman Pratika Rawal has signed with Warwickshire Women for the rest of the 2026 domestic season, with the 25-year-old set to bolster the county’s batting line-up in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup. Rawal will be available for selection from Warwickshire’s next One Day Cup match on August 19 as the Bears continue their push for a place in the knockout stages of the tournament.
Returning after injury
The move marks Rawal’s return to competitive cricket after recovering from a knee injury that ruled him out of India’s one-off Test against England at Lord’s. He sustained the injury during an India A match at Taunton on July 1, which required stitches and forced him to miss the benchmark test.Warwickshire currently sit fifth in the Metro Bank One Day Cup rankings and are aiming to finish in the top three to qualify for the knockout stages. The club believe Rawal’s arrival will provide added firepower at the top of the order during the final stages of the competition.Welcoming India’s opener, the club said his addition will strengthen the squad as they look to finish the season strongly.“It’s a great sign for the team, and we’re more than happy to be able to welcome Pratika to Edgbaston. Our position in the One Day Cup table at the moment is a good one, and bringing in a player of Pratika’s caliber can only serve to strengthen our squad as we aim to end the season on a positive note,” the club said in a statement.Rawal said he is keen to experience county cricket and is looking forward to representing Warwickshire at one of England’s most iconic venues.“I’m very pleased to join Warwickshire; I’ve heard a lot of positive things about the club and I’m excited to go and do everything I can to help the team. Proving myself playing in England will be a great experience for me, and I’m also looking forward to walking at Edgbaston, which is such an iconic ground in world cricket,” he said.
A rapid rise in international cricket
Rawal has emerged as one of India’s brightest batting talents since she made her international debut in December 2024. She holds the record as the fastest woman to reach 500 ODI runs, achieving the milestone in just eight innings. The opener also played a key role in India’s successful Women’s ODI World Cup campaign, scoring 308 runs, including a century against New Zealand, to help the team lift the title in 2025.