Pratika Rawal shines bright with maiden century, propels India to record-breaking ODI total

With her extraordinary performance against Ireland, Patrika has emerged as a key player in Indian women’s cricket.

Hyderabad: In India’s last ODI match against Ireland on Wednesday, Pratika Rawal amazed everyone by scoring 154 runs off 129 balls. This was her first international century. Batting alongside Smriti Mandhana, the duo powered India to a total of 435 runs for five wickets—the highest-ever score in a 50-over match.

Pratika was born on September 1, 2000, in Delhi. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Jesus and Mary College, New Delhi. She began her domestic cricket career representing Delhi from 2021 to 2024 before joining the Railways team. Her father, a Level-II umpire certified by the BCCI, works with the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA).

Pratika’s international career began in December 2024 when she earned her maiden call-up for the ODI series against the West Indies. She made her debut on December 22, 2024, becoming the 150th Indian to play an ODI. On January 15, 2025, she scored her first international century against Ireland in Rajkot. In the same match, she also won her first Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards.

A lesser-known fact about Pratika is that she is also a talented basketball player. She showcased her athletic prowess by winning a gold medal in basketball at the 64th School National Games in Delhi in 2019.

With her extraordinary performance against Ireland, Pratika has established herself as a key player in Indian women’s cricket.